US Open on hold as Hurricane Irene threatens New York

The usual last-minute preparations for the US Open were aborted on Saturday as Flushing Meadows was shut down in anticipation of Hurricane Irene, which was expected to hit New York this weekend.Players were told to go and find alternative places to practice as officials took the unusual step of locking up the National Tennis Center in the countdown to the last grand slam of the year.Some of the top players, including Serena Williams and world number one Novak Djokovic, cancelled their scheduled press conferences as the first showers arrived Saturday afternoon and security prepared to lock the gates in preparation for the storm.With the practice courts closed and Flushing Meadows unusually quiet, the Hurricane was the main topic of conversation for the few players who did attend their press confernces.Its somewhat scary, because we dont know how hard its going to hit us, said five-time champion Roger Federer.Ive got family. Were in New York City. And its not just a regular city.Its unusual, but well follow the news closely and well try to stay as safe as we can so we get through it.Officials have already taken the unusual step of cancelling Sundays annual Arthur Ashe Kids Day, where players practice and meet with the public to help raise money for charity.The worst of the storm was expected to be over by Sunday night but officials wont know whether the tournament will proceed as planned on Moday until they inspect the venue for any damage.Britains Andy Murray was not due to play until Tuesday at the earliest and said he had been stocking up on food supplies, just in case he has an even longer wait to play.I think people are right to be pretty cautious about it, said the Scotsman. We dont see weather like this from the UK. Its never, never this bad.So I think just have to wait and see what its like, because I have no idea what to expect.But not everyone was expecting the worst. Russias Maria Sharapova, who has been based in the US since she was child, said she was not taking any extra precautions.Well, Im a Florida girl, so Im used to this stuff, she said.