My first U.S. Open

So here I am in the media center, one hour and 14 minutes into the 2008 version of the U.S. Open. And let me preface everything I say over the next two weeks with this: I'm at the Open for the first time. So consider me a newbie.

I've been to the National Tennis Center before, but the last time may have been a decade ago for a New York state high school tennis championship.

My Newsday colleague, Jeff Williams, who is sitting to my left, just asked me if I'm an avid tennis follower. I explained that I was a lot of things until 2004, when I became the Yankees beat writer. Once I took that job, all other aspects of my sporting life was put on hold. For better, and for worse.

For the past year I've been reacclimating myself to the sports world outside of baseball, and now it's tennis' turn. So as long as the rain holds up, my plan for today is to walk around, take in the different courses, watch a few matches and learn everything I can about the current landscape of the tennis world.

Along those lines, what's the deal with Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi? I don't see either of them listed on the men's bracket.