By Alberto Amalfi | Wednesday, August 24, 2016
A year after pulling off an epic US Open comeback as the first man to rally from two sets down and defeat Rafael Nadal, Fabio Fognini fulfilled a Pokemon pursuit.
Photo credit: Flavia Pennetta Instagram
All major roads lead to New York. The US Open begins on Monday and top players are already training for the season's final Grand Slam.
From baseline shootouts, to post-practice splashes to selfies with the Statue of Liberty, here's how some of the stars have spent practice week in New York.
Watch: Top 5 Reasons Why Djokovic Won't Break Federer's Slam Record
Kristina Mladenovic strikes a pose at the entrance to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center..
Two-time US Open champion Rafael Nadal did double duty practicing on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday then hitting on Louis Armstrong Stadium on Tuesday afternoon. Wearing a blue sleeveless shirt, Nadal spent several minutes signing autographs afterward and kicked a couple of souvenir balls into the crowd.
#USOpen2016
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#USOpen2016
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Reigning Roland Garros champion Garbine Muguruza banged the ball with former Australian Open finalist Dominika Cibulkova in some heavy hitting that resounded around the new Grandstand Court, which features two large video screens.
Coach Patrick Mouratoglou has Serena Williams laughing in a pre-practice pep talk.
The world No. 1 looks poised to beat the heat of New York.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, growing out both beard and hair, spent some time with Wimbledon doubles champion Nicolas Mahut and had a hit with compatriot Lucas Pouille on Armstrong Stadium Tuesday afternoon.
Stan Wawrinka looked Gladiator-ripped and rested before practice.
This is Stan after more than an hour-long practice that saw him work through two racquets, pound down five bottles of Evian and deplete some of those energy reserves.
Nothing refreshes quite like a post-practice splash in the pool.
Ana Ivanovic beats the heat with a morning hitting session.
Fresh off his first career Masters championship in Cincinnati, 2014 US Open champ Marin Cilic returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium with new coach Jonas Bjorkman on the team.
Twelve years after she defeated Elena Dementieva to win the US Open championship, Svetlana Kuznetsova brought along Alicia Keys for some added inspiration.
๐ Big apple ๐๐ฝ
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Benoit Paire shares a view of the new Grandstand.
US OPEN...
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New Yorkers can now rest easy: Fabio Fognini has safely rescued Pokemon Unicorn from the masses hunting for the magical creature. The pair are reportedly training as synchronized swimmers with an eye toward the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Before Angelique Kerber hit the courts, she visited Lady Liberty.
Roger Federer isn't playing the Open, but he may make an appearance to fulfill some sponsorship obligations. The Grand Slam king shared this practice video that already has us thinking about 2017.
Even in Miami, Feliciano Lopez is in a New York State of mind.