Editorial: May 5, 2023

This week for the first time, we will enter the shrine of tennis, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the grand slam US Open Tennis Championships. This could be the start of a longtime relationship or a one-off location as the Westminster Kennel Club continues its search for a new permanent venue. The tennis center was created from the ground up on a few acres adjacent to the New York Mets’ Citi Field stadium and the former site of the 1964 World’s Fair. Tennis in those days was played at the very beautiful Forest Hills Stadium. As tennis grew in popularity, Forest Hills proved to be too small for the expected growth. While popular with most of the residents of New York, the new stadium was dismissed out of hand as an elitist money-losing situation by the then mayor of New York City Rudolph Giuliani, who not only publicly denounced it — he refused to go to the official opening. Having to eat his words, it has become the largest money maker for the city, eclipsing the Yankees, Mets, Knicks, Nets, Rangers and Islanders. The two-week US Open event brings in more than $350 million in revenue with attendees worldwide. So with that bit of history, we come to this weekend, when the Westminster Kennel Club holds its 147th event where the “Game, Set, Match” capital of the tennis world meets the “Breed, Group, Best” world-famous dog show. Even with the few years of venue changes, you know you would give anything to have your dog’s name on the Best in Show trophy. It’s why we all care about when and where Westminster will finally call home. One new moniker replaces “The Garden” with “The Racquet.” Not having seen the schematics, we’re not sure of the proposed show layout, but remember: As big and beautiful as the site is, it wasn't built for dog shows, so be a little bit patient, and it’s a first for us all. Also, we should remember that we are guests, so let’s clean up after ourselves and leave the facility as we found it. Dog News welcomes you all to our hometown; come visit us at our Dog News booth. Wishing you all safe travels and best of luck for a winning Westminster. Now it’s game time for the Best in Show judge, Long Island native Beth Sweigart, to pick the canine equivalent of Serena, Coco, Roger or Rafa … Game, Set, Match vs. Breed, Group, Best.