Ever find yourself wondering just what it is about Roger Federer's game that's made the U.S. Open his personal fiefdom over the last five years? Some may point to his tennis ability, which is obviously massive, but true New Yorkers know how much value there is in good real estate. When Federer's in New York for the Open, he isn't staying in a generic hotel room but in a two-bedroom suite designed just for him.
The Carlyle allowed the New York Observer to take a tour of Federer's digs. There are pillows with "RF" on them, a plaque celebrating his Grand Slam victories and Kiehl's products in the bathrooms. While the decoration might not be to everyone's taste, the level of luxury is certainly high enough that they'd make do.
The suite has a sleek little kitchen with a 24-bottle mini-bar and an espresso machine; a long living room with a white orchid, a gargantuan quasi-Picasso, two giant shiny black vases, a giant antique-mirrored disc that looks vaguely cocainey and a book on Jacques Helleu; two hefty closets in the foyer, where there's also a horn-handled metallic tray; and a master bedroom with a leopard-print rug, four mirrored bedposts and a comfy-looking tub.
The whole thing sounds "vaguely cocainey," although a look at the pictures the Observer took during their visit would make "aggressively 80's" a slightly better description. The bathroom, in particular, looks like something out of a Bret Easton Ellis novel. The best part is that if you're into a vaguely cocainey scene, no judgments, all you have to do is fork over $3,075 and rent the joint for a night of debauched pleasure.
What about Federer's competition, you ask? One imagines James Blake will be staying at one of those LaGuardia hotels to facilitate a quick getaway after another early exit from the tournament, while Andy Roddick probably doesn't care much for his surroundings as long as Mrs. Roddick, a.k.a. Brooklyn Decker, is leaving the lights on for him.
And if Federer's suite has hints of cocaine and decadance, Rafael Nadal's is sure to invoke an acid flashback. Not exactly the prescription for a restful night's sleep.
Josh Alper is a writer living in New York City and is a contributor to FanHouse.com and ProFootballTalk.com in addition to his duties for NBCNewYork.com.
