BY KYM LIEBLER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Michael Chang was mobbed by autograph seekers after practicing Monday.
(Michael E. Keating photo)
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MASON -- Comfort, not fashion; children, not the rich and famous, took center stage Monday during the first day of the ATP Championship's main competition.
And, the place to be at the bustling ATP Tennis Center was not Center Court, but hanging over a waist-high fence at the practice courts watching top-seed Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and No. 1 ranked Marcelo Rios of Chile warm up.
"The next three days, the players are the most accessible," said ATP volunteer Patti Ragle of Anderson Township. "They're not tense, and they'll banter with the fans."
Sure enough, autograph-hungry children embraced basketball-size tennis balls and lingered at the practice courts waiting for one-hour practices to end before asking players to sign them.
Some players, such as 21st-ranked Michael Chang, happily obliged. Germany's Thomas Muster, ranked 24, looked as though he wanted to appease his fans but was too drained after practicing his serve for an hour.
"Gotta run," a very sweaty Mr. Muster told the children swarming him. "I'm a little dizzy."
Alex Correjta signs after winning his match.
(Michael E. Keating photo)
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By week's end, as the competition heats up and seats are more coveted, veteran ATP-goers said, Monday's breezy informality will be replaced with more focused tennis players and well-heeled fans.
"Friday and Saturday nights, it's pretty hoity-toity," said Turpin Hills resident Leah Gates, whose family has had box seats at the center since it opened in 1979.
Mrs. Gates, whose sons, Jonathan, 9, and Alec, 6, play tennis, was one of hundreds of parents on hand Monday for ATP Kids Day. About 825 children received gift bags that contained an ATP Tournament poster, an ATP calendar, Adidas tattoos and Top Spin magazine.
"Today, it's pretty low-key," Mrs. Gates said.
So low-key, in fact, that Mr. Sampras, whose rank slipped this week from No. 1 to No. 2, trained casually on the golf course adjacent to the tennis center in plain view of avid fans. Not far from a sea of parked cars, Mr. Sampras and his trainer played a game of what looked to be hot potato two hours after his warmup.
The other prime autograph-seeking spot at the center is in front of the ATP Players Lounge, where players must emerge and exit for all matches and warmups. Nearby, a computerized screen listed on what courts the players were practicing and at what time.
"I'd like to see (Patrick) Rafter," said Chris Widmeyer, 14, of Madeira.
Down by practice court No. 8, Roy Keys, an emergency room physician from Ashland, Ky., and his wife, Anne, watched and heard Mr. Muster's grunts as he practiced his serve. The Keyses drove two hours to Cincinnati on Sunday for the tournament and are leaving today.
By 2:30 p.m., the pair had watched Messrs. Sampras, Chang, Agassi and Muster warm up.
"Where else can you get this close?" Dr. Keys said, standing 20 feet from Mr. Muster.
Fans seeking a break from matches or practice sessions can distract themselves at the Courtside Cafe, where there's plenty to buy and plenty to eat.
Aside from the giant tennis balls, which come with a black ink marker and sell for $26.50, the hot items at this year's tournament appear to be a quirky ensemble of cooling products.
Too hot?
Try a Cool Bandana for $8.95. The water-retaining bandanas expand when soaked in water. Ideally, bandanas are worn around the head or neck, where they provide cool comfort, said Michael Ross, a vendor for Sportmaster.
By 3 p.m., Sportmaster had sold 40 Cool Bandanas, he said.
Also available at the booth: a battery-operated hand fan for $8.95 and a $16.95 battery-operated water mist.
For those who missed or lost their invitation to a swank corporate pavilion party, food choices range from Skyline Chili to more pricey fare from Teller's of Hyde Park.
For those lucky enough or well-connected enough to score an invite to a corporate party -- held under huge white tents -- the week is just getting started.
"Corporate entertaining like you wouldn't believe," said one volunteer. "Some are sedate, and some are really boogie-down affairs."
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