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| Wednesday, September 8 | |||||
NEW YORK -- With world No. 1 Pete Sampras sidelined and seven men's draw matches ending prematurely, everyone is trying to explain the rash of injuries at this year's U.S. Open.
The long season and busy schedules that most players keep are among the most common causes suggested, but John McEnroe has his own explanation. The four-time U.S. Open champion turned television analyst points to creatine, a substance used to build muscles and aid in training. McEnroe made the point during Tuesday's broadcast on USA Network, shortly after Magnus Norman retired in his fourth-round match against fifth seed Gustavo Kuerten. He did not single out any player in particular, but noted that the use of creatine also leads to cramping and muscle pulls -- two of the factors leading to the numerous sudden endings this year. "I've never taken it. I'm actually against it," said Norman, who confirmed that other players do use the substance, which is not banned by the ATP Tour. "I don't want to speak for other players who take it. Maybe it's good for them. I've never taken it and I'm never going to take it." Norman's reasons for not using creatine have nothing to do with ethics and everything to do with his body. "Creatine is something that builds your muscles up," he said. "I think I alreay have enough muscles. I need to lose some weight. That's my problem."
Kuerten has some late-rising supporters
Getting ready to go Down Under Paul McNamee, the tournament director since 1994 who recently took over the role of Australian Open chief executive, briefed the media on two important developments for the 2000 event -- a new, secondary stadium court equipped with a sliding roof and plans for a night men's semifinal match. Construction is underway on Melbourne Park's multi-purpose venue -- or MPV, as McNamee called it. The structure is scheduled to be completed by December 17, one month before the start of the tournament. "It brings the tournament in line with the other three Grand Slams," McNamee said. "Wimbledon, with its new Court 1, which is magnificent, Suzanne Lenglen at Roland Garros, and the updated Louis Armstrong Stadium here. "The other three Grand Slams had that big second court, around 10,000 spectators, which we really lacked. It was a bit of a missing link for us. For us to build this new stadium, it's a biggy for us." McNamee said the venue will be used for basketball, cycling, concerts and other forms of entertainment when not hosting the Australian Open. The night semifinal, the first in tournament history, will be held on Thursday, January 27, increasing the number of tournament sessions to 24. The match will start at 7 p.m. local time. "I think the night atmosphere is great," McNamee said. "I think it is one of the features of a Grand Slam. Players are used to playing in those conditions all of the time."
Woodies' run coming to end Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge, the dominant doubles team of the decade, lost in the quarterfinals to the team of Alex O'Brien and Sebastien Lareau and later talked about the end of their relationship. "I'm hoping to stop at the end of 2000," said the 33-year-old Woodforde. "I know I'm stopping because I'm quite a bit older. I'm prepared to finish up then. I think that's long enough for me. Then it's up to Todd, whether he chooses to continue to 2000." Asked his thoughts for the future, the 28-year-old Woodbridge was less revealing. "That's something we have to talk about," he said. "We're not going to have a conversation about something like that at a press conference."
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Kuerten benefits from injury epidemic at U.S. Open
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