A hazy sun rises through the trees of Flushing Meadows Corona Park that overlook Court 15 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The court is empty. It is Tuesday, the second day of the United States Open.
Then, a junior tennis player starts to hit balls with her coach as Richie LeBron of Queens sets up chairs for players, fills coolers with water bottles and works a blower. He is sweating in his blue staff shirt. It’s not yet 8 a.m., but already the heat feels brutal.
A woman with pink Nike shoes and Lululemon leggings arrives at Court 15.