I would definitely take it to the police! I am not a person that would kust keep it or even donate it! I work hard everyday and I believe if someone dropped some money and were "probably" hard working, I would hope that they get the money returned and if it happened to me, I would hope someone would turn the money in and I would get it back, too!

Yes, people, I have joined the masses and have added my own videos to YouTube. Of course, these videos are from my two years of going to the Cincinnati Masters Series for tennis, but I absolutely love the experience, I decided to share it with the rest of the world. So, for you all to see here are the links to my videos.

ROGER FEDERER - Practice - Cincinnati 2007 - Here's my video of Roger [www.youtube.com/watch] practicing at the 2007 Cincinnati Masters Series. Yes, that is me whispering in the background. But he just looked too cute and this was the first time that I got to see the "then" number one in the world practice or even play tennis. And boy was I drooling over this man. He he he...

LLEYTON HEWITT - Practice - Cincinnati 2007 - Here are my videos [1- www.youtube.com/watch] and [2 - www.youtube.com/watch] of Lleyton practicing in Cincinnati. And boy, do I love it when this man speaks. I love men with accents. And like I explained in my Cincinnati experience, it totally cracked me up when he said "Sorry, mate" to his hitting partner, after accidentally hitting him with the ball.

RAFAEL NADAL - Practice - Cincinnati 2008 - Here are my videos [1- www.youtube.com/watch] and [2 - www.youtube.com/watch] of the current number one practicing. I absolutely love the second video because you can hear the little "grunt" that Rafa lets out every time that he hits the ball. It is too cute and sexy to hear.

TROPHY CEREMONY - Cincinnati 2008 - I even took two videos of the trophy ceremony at the end of the tournament. The videos I took were of Novak [www.youtube.com/watch] and Andy Murray [www.youtube.com/watch] as they were giving their speeches at the end of the tournament.

So, please enjoy the videos, give me some ratings if you would like, and definitely leave me a comment if you wish. But overall, like I said, please ENJOY!!

I am posting this a few days late, but I definitely have to say that one of my favorite moments from the US Open was during the Mardy Fish-Rafa Nadal quarterfinal match.

It was the last game of the last set for the two of them. And Rafa was serving for the 1st point in his eventual "game, match, and set" against Fish. Right as Rafa was serving, a fan of Mardy's decided to yell out Mardy's name at the same time. Of course, in actual rules, the players are supposed to continue playing, but Mardy -being the professional and curteous man that he is - actually stopped play. Rafa went over and spoke to the umpire, who reminded the crowd of the "rules". After returning to his spot, the umpire allowed for Rafa to take "first serve" again. But the look on Rafa's face was priceless and so was Mardy's. And if the old saying, "If looks could kill...", then the guy who yelled out would certainly have been "six feet under".

If you happened to miss that moment, here is a link to that video.

I truly think that it was really an interesting moment. I mean I have seen Rafa and Mardy get frustrated before, but those looks were definitely priceless. And I think that it was right of the security guard to come over and take the guy out of the stadium for the remainder of the game.

Hello again!

I just wanted everyone to know that I am updating my gallery pages with my pictures from both the Cincinnati Open for 2007 and for 2008. I hope that everyone enjoys the pictures. If you want to use the pictures, please credit me (VBryantKYUSA) for the pictures because it took a lot of work (heat, stress, and pushing) to get the pictures. And soon, I will also be adding my experience that I had at the 2008 Cincinnati Open. Also, I am going to be adding a couple of videos to my journal, so that you, too, can experience what I saw in Cincinnati. Therefore, I leave you with just one word ---

Enjoy!

I just wanted everyone to know that I actually added a gallery to my journal -- pics.livejournal.com/vbryantkyusa/ - that now hosts my pictures from the 2007 ATP Masters Series Cincinnati Open that I went to. All I can say is if anyone wants to experience tennis up close and personal, but cannot make it to one of the grand slams. Then the tours that are closer for any of you are the places to be. Why do I say this? Well, for several reason... Here I will, of course, tell you about my experience that first year. And just remember that all of this joy, excitement, and happiness took place on a single day.
 
The best thing about my 2007 experience in Cincinnati was that I was able to get to see Roger Federer take on Lleyton Hewitt, who happen to be two of my favorites, in the semifinals. Of course, the match was exciting as Roger took the first set 6-3. But Lleyton decided to show the Swiss that he was resilient by taking the second set in a tie break at 6-7(7). Before Roger made the whole thing more exciting as he took the third set in another tie break at 7-6(1). It was seriously amazing to see two geniuses at work. Of course, before even seeing the two take on one another, I, of course, was privileged to see both of them practice. Naturally, I do not have my pictures up yet of these two, but soon, I will do so.

Of course, my favorite thing about watching them was actually seeing them in person - it felt so "cool" "interesting" and "surreal" just to see that these men were actual human beings. Of course, one of my favorite memories of watching Lleyton practice was the moment that he accidentally hit his hitting partner and I got to hear him say in that cute accent of his, "Sorry, mate". Naturally, my friend and I started giggling at that point causing the Australian to look over at us - trying to hide our faces with our programs, of course. But we still had such a great time.

Naturally, after the match was over, the two of us went looking for some lunch with my friend's mother, who had come along for the ride to Cincinnati. After eating our lunch, my friend and I decided to go looking around to see if we could find James Blake, who happened to be playing in the second semi-final match for the day. So, we went wandering around a bit until we had found that James was going to be practicing on Court 4, which was right inside of the gate of the tournament area. So, my friend, her mother, and I were going to wait there for him to come. But being the curious person I am, I saw a whole bunch of people waiting around a particular area. So, I went to investigate. After asking a few questions, I found out that this was the exit to the Players' Lounge and that everyone was waiting for Roger to exit, but no one knew what time he would be exiting because of his multiple interviews that he had to do. So, of course, wanting the autograph of the "then" number one player in the world, I planted my feet and waited for his arrival. Yet, while I was waiting there, I was definitely surprised as James Blake himself decided to arrive at the tournament area at that time and came through the crowd. So, holding out my giant tennis ball with great anticipation, I was definitely and confidentially surprised as James himself autographed my ball. I was happy because this was my first, star-struck autograph that I had ever gotten and I knew at that point that I was am going to love and keep that ball forever.

So, with great amazement and anticipation, I continued to stand there, hoping that I would soon get Roger's autograph. But that autograph would not come as the crowd around the exit was surprised by the arrival of the Mallorcan Matador himself, Rafael Nadal. Naturally, people began to push and push to get his autograph, but even with my ball being held out, I was unable to get his autograph because the boy behind me decided to push me down to get his own ball autographed. Yet, even without an autograph, one of my dreams came true as 6'1" Rafael Nadal was standing over me signing another person's ball, but still allowing me to breath in his scent of soap and cologne. (And boy did he smell good!!!)

So, after finding out the arrival of Rafa, I ran to my friend to tell her about the surprised arrival and almost ran smack dab into Nicolay Davydenko (or Dinky to my friend's mother), who himself was going off to practice for his match that night against James Blake. After my near miss with Davydenko, I went over to where my friend's mother had been sitting. She told me that my friend was sitting at Court 4 watching James practice. So, I controlled my excitement after telling my friend's mother, of course, of my joy of seeing Rafa. And as my friend arrived back to us, her mother and I were happy to see that she, too, had gotten James Blake's autograph on a special memorabilia - his memoir, which she had purchased at the tournament. After seeing her enjoyment in this accomplishment and telling her of Rafael's arrival, the two of us were once again happy as we saw James Blake's brother, Thomas, exit the Court area. The two of us took the confidence that we now had and went over and asked him for his autograph, too. Of course, this gave me my two autographs of the tournament, which started my desire for more.

So, with this accomplished, my friend and I gathered our belongings and her mother and went to wander to the grandstand arena, so that we could catch a glimpse of the infamous Bryan Brothers (Mike and Bob) practicing. Of course, not to our surprise, we were joined by the Bryan Bunch (the Bryan brothers family and entourage), who were also waiting for the boys' arrival. Yet, comes to find out, that even if you are family, sometimes you are not told of scheduling change. Because as it came to be that the boys were actually practicing on Court 5, which was back the way that we had all come. So, gathering our stuff once again, the three of us made our ways back to the other side of the tournament area to watch Mike and Bob practice. But as we stood there, snapping pictures of the two of them, we noticed a huge crowd of people standing around another court.

Of course, the curiosity got the best of us and we went to see what was going on. And low and be hold, there - once again - was Rafael Nadal, now practicing his skills with his long-time coach and uncle, Toni. Of course, the two of us cold not turn away and go back to the American twins as we watched the Spanish "matador" in all of his glory. But the best thing out of the whole thing was when Rafa became frustrated at what he was doing and actually began to speak in rapid Catalan Spanish to his uncle. Even less trained ears could know that the young man was frustrated and was probably speaking some very rough words in his frustration. So, with several, several pictures taken and many many wondrous seconds of seeing the young man do his work, the two of us turned away from the Spanish "matador" and made our way back to my friend's mother, so that we could find our seats for the second singles match of the day.

As I had said earlier, the second match of the day featured James Blake against Nicolay Davydenko. Of course, all three of us were pulling for James to win, so that he would go on to meet Roger in the final. And naturally, with great excitement and wonder, the American defeated the Russian in straight sets with a 6-4, 6-2 victory that would lead him into his battle against Federer for the title the next day. After watching James do his work and defeat the Russian, my friend and I took the opportunity of a lifetime and were actually able to move from our seats and move closer to the court for the doubles match that was going to take place after the singles match. The match, of course, was going to feature the Bryan Brothers versus the partnering of Leander Paes and Martin Damm. Of course, the Bryan Brothers decided to give our final match of our Cincinnati experience quite a trip. As the boys fell short in the first set to end up at 3-6 against the duo of Paes and Damm. Yet, the boys finally got the entire crowd behind them as they took the next set 6-0, which would take the boys to a tie-break to tell the winner of the match. In a doubles match, if neither pair can take the match in two sets, then a third-set tiebreak would be played. And the first duo that gets to 10 games would win. Of course, the Bryan Brothers would bring excitement, happiness, and a glimpse of the "Bryan Brothers Chest Bump" to the crowd of Cincinnati as they took the tie-break 10-7 from the group to make it to the final against the Israeli duo of Erlich and Ram.

And with this excitement and the treasure of two autographs, my experience at the Cincinnati Open for 2007 was over as our little trio made our way back to our vehicle and left the Lindner Family Tennis Center for another year with hopes of returning the next year in full form and need for an entire weekend instead of one single day. So, with this story, I leave you all to enjoy my words and pictures from my first true "in person" glimpse at the world of men's professional tennis.

Adios! Farewell! Aufwiedersehen! And Goodnight!

Well, it seems as though it is the end of the grand slam season for 2008. And of course, we have three champions this years - not just two.

The Australian Open, of course, went to the Serbian, who seems to be trying to take over the tennis world - Novak Djokovic.

And naturally, with the flick of his wrist and smudge of his shoe, the cool, red clay of Roland Garros went to 4-time defending champion, Rafael Nadal.

Yet, no one could forget the greatest grand slam final there ever was came on the cool, rain-soaked grass of Wimbledon as Rafael Nadal took the Wimbledon title from 5-time defending champion, Roger Federer.

But no one needs to be alarmed because Roger Federer - the Dominator, the Genius, and the Swiss Maestro - came back into his champion form and became the 5-time champion of the US Open as he overtook the young, fresh Andy Murray.

So, with the grand slams coming to an end, the fighting trio now move onto the fall season of the tennis year before going on to the Masters Cup final in Shanghai, where Roger Federer is looking for his 5th Masters Cup title. We shall see in which court the little yellow ball falls. This tennis fan is hoping that it falls either in the court of a Swiss Maestro or the Mallorcan Matador that we have all come to love.

So, to this, all I say is -- VAMOS RAFA and ALLES GUTES, ROGI!

Every year, during the tournaments leading up to the US Open of Tennis, ESPN and USA start show commercials that feature some of the top-seeded players and the ones that are best known.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERIES:
Nickname: The Greatest Road Trip in Sports!!

How Long: The Olympus US Open Series runs for six weeks from July 14 through August 23 and culminates with the 2008 US Open from August 25 - September 7.

Background: This is the fifth year of the successful series which links 9 summer tournaments to the US Open creating a cohesive, six-week summer tennis season for ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour professional tournaments in North America. There are 9 tournaments (10 events) that make up the Olympus US Open Series including one combined tournament, Pilot Pen Tennis.

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This year, I have found some of my favorite commercials and I have to post them. The first two feature Rafa Nadal and how he is being "heckled" by former tennis player-turned-commentator John McEnroe. The last one features several of the top tennis players, including: Andy Roddick, Roger Federer, Serena and Venus Williams, and the Bryan Brothers. My favorite part of the last commercial is where Roger asks Andy Roddick: "Did you steal my sandwich?" and Andy does his best innocent look at him as he says: "Uhh, no!". I just love each of them. Especially the ones with Rafa because they are very vibrant with his accent. UHHHHH! *Drools*

COMMERCIAL #1: Rafa and John - Spanish Guitar -- www.youtube.com/watch

COMMERCIAL #2: Rafa and John - Pumping Up - www.youtube.com/watch

COMMERCIAL #3: All of the Tennis Players - www.youtube.com/watch

Enjoy!!!