This year’s US Open was a double milestone for the Ubaldo Scanagatta, who is the founder and chief director of Ubitennis.
On August 31st he celebrated his 69th birthday at Flushing Meadows. Furthermore, the US Open is the 150th grand slam that Scanagatta has covered as a journalist. His tally currently stands at 45 Wimbledons, 43 French Opens, 35 US Opens and 27 Australian Opens.
Scanagatta reflected about his work in the industry during an interview with Ashley Marshall for usopen.org. His first taste of working in New York occurred in 1984. A year that saw John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova lift the singles titles. Since then, he has never missed a tournament.
“Famous ’84, two semifinals which went both to the fifth set,” Scanagatta said during his interview with Marshall. “Lendl-Cash and McEnroe-Connors. Then there was also three sets between Evert and Navratilova [in the women’s final]. It was outstanding. After one US Open like that, I couldn’t miss the next one.”
Bsides Ubitennis, the Italian journalist also writes for newspapers Il Giorno in Milan, La Nazione and Il Resto del Carlino in Bologna. In the past he has also worked as a TV commentator, covering events such as Jimmy Connors’ run to the 1991 US Open semifinals as a wild card entrant.
“He never surrendered, he was incredible,” Scanagatta said in a tribute to Connors. “Even though he didn’t have a great serve and he didn’t have a great forehand, he had one incredible shot which was that double-handed backhand.
“He was also able to fight and compete for every ball. It was incredible. He never accepted to surrender when Borg and when McEnroe did better. I remember someone saying John McEnroe has such a delicate touch, they would like to be caressed by him.”
Given his extensive experience in regards to covering grand slam tennis, Scanagatta believes the US Open is unlike any other event. Especially when it comes to night-time matches being played in front of the animated New York crowd.
“The enthusiasm, the participation of the crowd, every tournament has its specifics,” he explained about Flushing Meadows. “This is a tournament that gives the opportunity for the best players to win. You have to be a clay-court specialist to win on clay. On grass, same thing, they win on grass but nowhere else. Hard court is a balance, everyone can do it. There are many reasons why the US Open is an important slam that you shouldn’t miss.”
The full interview can be read here.
