New York State of Mind:
USTA Missouri Valley officials share their experiences working the US Open. By Amber Gerdes
Nine officials from USTA Missouri Valley had the honor of being selected to work the US Open in New York from August 26 through September 8, 2019. The nine officials were Cynthia Baine (USTA Missouri), Sheila Conway (USTA Oklahoma), Nick Flentie (USTA Kansas), Kimberly Kilgore (USTA Missouri), Cheryl Lady (USTA Heart of America), Diane Lawrence (USTA Kansas), Alvin Penelton (USTA St. Louis), Lisa Rieff (USTA Nebraska), and Cindy Ritchie (USTA Oklahoma). We got in touch with some of these officials to ask about their experience: USTA.com: What are you most looking forward to about this experience? Rieff: The Open is an incredible experience. I look forward to seeing all the friends I've met, not only from all over the US, but from all over the world! It's a great chance to broaden your horizons. I'm also looking forward to sharing a few days in NYC with two of my
daughters. It will be their first time here and everyone is so excited for the trip! Flentie: At the end of the match, there is a sense of accomplishment that comes from knowing that without the work we’ve done, the match couldn’t have been played with the level of quality and professionalism that it was. A very close second is getting to spend two weeks in New York City. Kilgore: It is both an honor and a privilege to represent my section at the US Open. I always look forward to being in New York City and working at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The venue is wonderful and the tennis is great. I also enjoy reconnecting with tennis officiating friends from around the world. Lady: It’s very exciting to be at the US Open. I look forward to working on court. Officials find out their court assignments each day. I look forward to seeing officials that I only see at the Open.
12 FALL/ WINTER SERVE 2019 USTA.COM/USTAMISSOURIVALLEY
One of the best things about being an official is meeting other officials and developing friendships. USTA.com: How have your officiating duties within USTA Missouri Valley prepared you for this opportunity? Rieff: USTA Missouri Valley has prepared me for this role by first giving me two mentors to teach me the ropes of officiating. Then, I attended a line clinic in Kansas City to learn proper techniques. From there, I started working pro circuit events in the Missouri Valley as a line umpire. After working within the Missouri Valley for several years, I branched out to more events and worked my first Open in 2014. Kilgore: The training and developmental opportunities offered to me by USTA Missouri Valley over the past 14 years have allowed me to grow and develop as an official, allowing me to work at the Grand Slam level.
