The US Open started today, and right this second, Rafael Nadal is beating Bjorn Phau in a first round matchup. Olympic gold medalist Elena Dementieva has already advanced to the second round. (Roger Federer plays tomorrow.)

We've already told you where to eat at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, but we were a little short on the other details. Plot a route on our map between the courts and nearby transportation options. Just don't, for the love of God, try to drive.

Related Stories:
· Visiting the Open [Official Site]
· Public Transportation Options from NYC's MTA [Official Site]
· Olympic Champ Dementieva Opens with Win [AP, via Google]
· Watch the Open Without Leaving Manhattan [Gothamist]
· Back of the Envelope Eating Guide: Where to Grub at the US Open [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-08-25T17:32:31-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/8/22/1679/75199

Balearic babe Rafael Nadal was recently named the top tennis player in the world, but he may have to fight off the former number one, Roger Federer, at the US Open, which starts Monday. Don King--who is apparently still relevant!--is even promoting the potential final as the "Grapple in the Apple."

And while we're certainly interested in the tennis--especially after watching James Blake thump Federer in Beijing--there's plenty more happening out at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, including the all important question of where we'll grab a bite.

Luckily, Terminal 5 isn't the only spot in Queens with a bunch of intriguing dining options...]]> pbb 2008-08-22T16:15:15-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/7/16/102549/872

Rafael Nadal blasted off at this year's Wimbledon to whomp Roger Federer in the fifth set of the finals. Now the 22-year-old superstar is getting an interstellar tribute: An asteroid in the belt between Mars and Jupiter will be named for him.

The rock, which measures four kilometers in diameter, isn't suitable for, say, a vacation house, but Rafa's welcome to watch it move through space from the Astronomical Observatory of Mallorca, the Balearic isle where he was born. Right now the best he can hope for is to ride past it on Virgin Galactic.

Related Stories:
· Championship Travel: No Racquets on Nadal's Vacation [Jaunted]
· Nadal Star Power Stretches to Far Reaches of Galaxy [Reuters]
· Space Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: drumerboy]]]> egw 2008-07-16T11:05:18-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/7/9/223054/0285

American athletes go to Disneyland when they win big; Europeans go to the Mediterranean. 2008 Wimbledon champ Rafael Nadal was seen relaxing in the surf off Mallorca yesterday.

Nadal played through an injured knee to win on the grass, but he turned down a tournament next week in Stuttgart, Germany in order to recuperate.

We're sure having his ladyfriend (at right, looking rather frightened) on vacation with him doesn't hurt. Maybe he'll even have time to even out that tennis tan!

Related Stories:
· Airport Photo Shoot: Maria Sharapova is Dri-Fit Free [Jaunted]
· Tennis Travel: See McEnroe In The Dressing Room [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Celebrity-Gossip.net]]]> egw 2008-07-10T08:55:13-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/