By Etienne Stekelenburg
September 4 2003

The rain pouring down in New York is again interfering with the US Open schedule. More bad weather could lead to playing the men’s final on Monday. According to US Open officials the rain caused problems with the Grandstand surface. The Grandstand is on of the three showcourts at the National Tennis Center. The surface of the court could not be dried properly. The rain had left the court somewhat soggy due to too much water under the court surface. The court can only be used again if the sun shows up to dry the Grandstand surface according to the groundsman.

The men’s competition could end up with a very tight schedule since only two players, Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi, have reached the quarter-finals. The last US Open final that was played on Monday due to rain on Sunday was the match between Ivan Lendl and Mats Wilander in 1987.