A Zen-Like Experience

September 7, 1992
I'll never forget the summer of 1992.  As usual, I spent the entire day engrossed in hours of championship tennis at the US Open in Flushing Meadows, Queens.  However, little did I know how special this day would turn out to be.  As I settled in for the evening's featured match between Americans Andre Agassi (8) and Jim Courier (1), word began to circulate throughout Louis Armstrong Stadium that Barbra Streisand was on the premises.  Sure enough, a few minutes before the players arrived for their warm-ups, Barbra entered with Donna Karan and took a front row center court seat. 

The whole experience was surreal.  For me, tennis is one of life's passions, and here was Barbra Streisand seemingly enjoying the match with as much enthusiasm as the most die-hard of tennis fans. Trying to pay attention to the match while Barbra Streisand shouted cheers of encouragement toward Agassi was nearly impossible.  My seat was across-court from Barbra, so no matter how hard I tried to focus on the great tennis being played out, my attention and the attention of the entire stadium, it seemed, was focused on Andre Agassi's special guest.

That night, Barbra was just another sports fan like the rest of us.  Her presence couldn't have been less conspicuous, though.  Throughout the entire match, people interrupted play as they yelled out to Barbra, causing the chair umpire on more than one occasion to ask for silence.  Barbra managed to stay until the very last point was played out.  She was charming and very friendly toward fans, even autographing tennis balls during changeovers.   

Alas, Barbra and the Agassi faithful suffered the heartbreak of defeat that evening. Agassi lost the match to the tournament's top seed in four sets (6-3,6-7,6-1, 6-4).

It was just another average night match at the US Open.