Here’s the link to the “U.S. Open inclement weather policy”:http://www.usopen.org/en_US/about/tickets/weather.html

It’s almost 900 words, but here’s a summary: A day session isn’t considered to be cancelled if play starts before 5 p.m. and one match is completed OR 90 minutes of tennis is played.

That doesn’t seem likely at the moment, as rain continues to pound the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, but it’s entirely possible that the courts will be playable in four hours.

I don’t envy ticketholders from our area who have to face the choice—come out to Queens, or possibly lose their tickets. If play ever starts, I’ll be interested to see what kind of crowd there is. What is everyone doing today?

Lindsay Davenport pulled out of the final at New Haven with a shoulder injury last week, and in the past the USTA has cut Americans some slack in their first-round matches. A spokesperson said they did honor Davenport’s request to play later in the day, and she was the third match scheduled for Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Davenpost was able to win easily, and with the threatening rain could get an extra day of rest before meeting second-round opponent Jelena Kostanic.

As she nears the end of her career, Davenport is getting no slack from the USTA or the WTA. It doesn’t help that she is gets no play in the papers. A former champion, an American, and why is it she doesn’t rate?

Here’s one reason; Davenport has never toed the line for anybody. She doesn’t tease her hair and smile for the sponsors—and she doesn’t offer vapid responses to substantive questions. She is smart and outspoken, but unless she shows up in the front row for fashion week, no one is interested.

In women’s tennis, style often trumps substance. For evidence, look no further than Lindsay Davenport.

The Arthur Ashe Stadium has been dried, and U.S. Open tournament referee Brian Early said, “The rain is done.”

The morning was a rainy one at the U.S. Open, and delayed the start of the tournament. Already, Billie Jean King has addressed the media on the renaming of the center to the USTA Billie Jean National Tennis Center.

Jimmy Connors was in the hallway as King walked in, just two of the tennis legends on hand for a day and night that should, weather permitting, host retiring Andre Agassi’s first-round match.

Serious red alert.

If you are thinking about driving to the U.S. Open this year, you might want to reconsider. There is construction at Shea, taking those lots out of service. And for the duration of the second week, the Mets are home. Expect gridlock and frustration.

On the up side, the USTA has set up a parking lot in Orchard Beach with shuttle service to the grounds. For exact directions check out the “The USTA website’s parking info.”:http://www.usopen.org/en_US/about/transportation.html

The Shuttle starts on Sept. 4 and runs through the end of the tournament. Metro North is another great option. The 7 train runs straight from Grand Central Station to the tennis center.