On August 28, 2023, we were invited to Opening Day of the US Open to honor Ethan and his friend and teammate, Drew. As families, we participated in the coin toss before the first men’s tennis match on Center Court at Arthur Ashe Stadium. It was our first US Open without our E, our tennis superstar. The last time Ethan was on Center Court, he was rallying with his dad, Gary, and playing some points (beating his dad too!) before his 13th birthday.

The US Open and the USTA Eastern Division were incredibly generous and we deeply appreciate their warm reception and compassion. Undoubtedly, Ethan would have been on FaceTime with his friends the whole time, with the biggest, happiest, warmest smile on his face, in awe of how close he was to tennis greats like Frances Tiafoe.

Going to the US Open several times each year was a family tradition for us. It made the day extra difficult feeling Ethan’s physical absence but we kept him in our hearts and on our minds with every breathe we took (as we always do), trying to live for him through the things he loved doing and we loved doing with him. This was one of those beautiful days.