Local official Nick Flentie will be representing USTA Kansas while officiating at the US Open in New York on August 26 through September 8.

 

USTA Kansas is proud to be represented in the group of hard-working officials who have been chosen to officiate at the 2019 tournament. We got in touch with Flentie before he heads to New York and chatted about all things US Open.

 

USTA.com: How many times have you worked the US Open?

Flentie: This will be my tenth year.

 

USTA.com: What are you looking forward to the most during this experience?

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.

 

USTA.com: How have your officiating duties within the Missouri Valley prepared you for this opportunity?

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Flentie: Every level of the game creates challenges that call for an official to solve the problem and maintain the integrity of the sport. Missouri Valley Junior events are where I first learned how to apply that skill. Many long weekends at the Plaza Tennis Center provided me with the base that I use even in Grand Slam finals.

 

USTA.com: What are you hoping to gain from this experience?

Flentie: I do it to help provide a fair environment for these matches to be played in, and for the enjoyment that comes from being part of the action.

 

USTA.com: If you won a trip to a Grand Slam of your choice, which would you pick and why?

Flentie: I’ve been to the US Open, Wimbledon and Australian Open, and to me the US Open is the best. It’s the place where I feel that the world truly comes together for one shared experience. 

 

If you're interested in following Flentie's path by becoming an official, follow the six steps laid out on this page. If you work hard enough, you just may end up alongside Flentie as one of the next great US Open officials.

 

The US Open is the highest-attended annual sporting event in the world, and is held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens. To follow all things 2019 US Open, check out the official US Open Series website.