Game, set, and match

A HUGE tennis fan, Mom Ligaya gets to watch a match at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. LEA SALONGA’S FACEBOOK PAGE

NEW YORK—My mother and I received an invitation to attend one session of the 2015 US Open Tennis Championship at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Now, just so you know, my mother is a huge tennis fan (she loves Roger Federer) so when I told her about the invite, she got very excited. We weren’t scheduled to be there until around 11 a.m., but she was dressed and ready to go about two hours before. Wow!

We were picked up in one of the official transport vehicles (it had the US Open logo emblazoned on the side) and taken to the beautiful USTA Tennis Center. Until Sunday, I had only seen the facilities when I’d watch matches and interviews on TV. When Mom and I arrived, we couldn’t quite believe it. And true to form, she made friends with our suite mates. I just watched her hold court. That’s a trait my daughter most definitely inherited from her.

We were escorted into one of the lovely suites where a beautiful spread of snacks, sandwiches, hot food and cold drinks were laid out. A Keurig coffee machine was in the corner should anyone require some hot caffeine. I might’ve been the only one who used it.

First match

The first match we got to watch was between defending champion Marin Cilic (Croatia) and Jérémy Chardy (France). I have to admit, I was oblivious as I’m not a big tennis buff, but my mom knew exactly who Cilic was. Once she recognized him, she found herself a great seat outside the suite, and remained there for the rest of the match. It was very exciting to watch, as there was no clear winner past the first set. Cilic twisted his ankle and looked like he was having some difficulty finding his rhythm. However, it all turned around at the third, and he won the match.

After the postmatch interview, which the entire stadium could hear, he autographed three tennis balls, and lobbed them into the waiting stadium crowd. At this point we all took a breather for snacks and beverage, then headed back out for one of the more awaited matches of the day: Venus Williams vs Anett Kontaveit.

The match lasted less than an hour, with Venus handily winning over her much younger opponent in straight sets. This was one of those instances when experience triumphed over youth. (Anett is only 19; Venus is 35.) Perhaps sports is funny that way; one minute it’s all about brute strength, and another minute, it’s all about accuracy and finesse.

It was also remarkable to note that Venus has been battling Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease whose symptoms include debilitating fatigue and joint pain, since 2011. She was determined to return to the court, and lo and behold, Mom and I got to witness her in fighting form. During her postmatch interview, it was revealed that a few weeks ago, she got her college degree, an announcement that elicited a rousing round of applause from the whole crowd.

Defending champ

The final match we got to see was that of defending women’s singles champ (and No. 1 women’s tennis player in the world) Serena Williams against fellow American Madison Keys. In the US Open magazine available in the suite, we read that Madison, at the tender age of 14, had beaten Serena. (Madison is 19 now; Serena is 33.) My jaw dropped, and I wondered if we would see a repeat of that previous match.

As tenacious, aggressive and focused as Madison was, she wasn’t a match for Serena’s power, speed and massive two-handed backhand. The speed at which the balls were flying was something you just don’t realize when watching these matches on TV. It does take quick feet, lightning-fast reflexes, and powerful muscles to chase down each of those blistering serves and returns. We noticed the speed at which those serves were coming in… 185 kilometers per hour… 188 kph. There was no way mere mortals could ever handle that.

After the Serena-Madison match was completed, we headed back home with wonderful memories of this very New York event. Only a couple of hours later, we turned on the television to watch the

Novak Djokovic-Roberto Bautista Agut match, and to hear my mom utter the words, “We were just there,” was such a trip for me. I’m so happy I got to share that afternoon with her.

She’s now fast asleep, fighting the last vestiges of jet lag left in her. The only thing that can beat the excitement of watching the championship games is if she accidentally bumps into Roger Federer on the street.

A girl can dream, can’t she?