Here are the black stars to root for at this year’s US Open

For fans of black tennis, it is a golden era. We all miss Serena and Venus Williams, who are not the important players – Serena is retired and Venus is on the periphery; she plays little or no and ranked 833rd in the world — but their shadows still solid a shadow. They inspired many young playersand several other of them are playing in the US Open this 12 months.

The Open, held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York, is one in all the most fun events in sports. I highly recommend bringing a friend, getting tickets and spend the day watching tennis. For tennis fans who want to come out and cheer on all the blacks, this is your moment.

If you watch the Open at all, whatever you do, don’t miss Ben Shelton. I like him like a nephew. He’s a 21-year-old, 6-foot-4-inch, fast-rising star who plays with an energy and excitement that few can match. He’s currently ranked thirteenth in the world with a strong serve and curly hair that exudes puppy energy. He’ll hit lots of aces and is at all times really fun to watch.

Everyone knows a 20-year-old Coconut gauff She’s also one in all the most fun players on tour. She’s also someone who could win the whole tournament again — she’s the defending champion. She’s fast, strong, smart and hard. Her mental toughness is clear. She’s at all times focused, never beats herself up and at all times has that confident glow about her. She’s constructing a Hall of Fame profession right before our eyes.

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Alycia Parks is the latest star — she is 23 years old, 185 cm tall, from Atlanta and currently ranks 1st in the rankings No. 63 in the world. She has a strong serve and a great deal of speed. A player like her will likely be on the outside courts at the Open, which suggests you may sit much closer to the motion than at, say, Gauff’s matches, which is able to at all times be on one in all the big show courts.

Madison Keys is a veteran who turned pro 15 years ago, but at 29 she’s still a star. She has a strong forehand — look at this huge loop she uses a racket, so she will be able to get lots of speed off the bat. She’s still an element — currently ranked 14th — and plays with lots of heart. She has a status as one in all the nicest women on tour, and it’s fun to root for someone who’s each sweet and fierce.

Taylor Townsend is a singular thrill because she’s a serve-and-volley player in an era where almost nobody else is playing that way. It’s exciting to see people rushing the net and trying to dominate the point from the front half of the court. She’s currently No. 48 in the world.

Felix Auger-Aliassime is a Canadian brother with perfect strokes. If you would like to know what perfect tennis form looks like, FAA is what you are looking for. If you are actively learning the sport and searching for someone to emulate, look no further. His technique is textbook and exquisite. He’s number 19 in the world.

At the other end of the spectrum, Frances Tiafoe just isn’t exactly in perfect form. He is a unprecedented player with an enormous heart whose determination and perseverance are inspiring. His technique is something nobody could teach, but he’s twentieth in the world and is at all times a threat to go far in the Open. Whenever Tiafoe is on the court, sit back and watch him give it his all.

Black tennis has lots of great stars and I do know the players love seeing black fans in the audience cheering them on. You could be the one to give them that little extra spark that pushes them to victory.