Sports News - Tennis - The New York Times Thomas Fluharty for The New York Times After an unpredictable Wimbledon, what kind of drama is in store for the United States Open, the final Grand Slam event of the year? One of the sport's greatest players and statesmen is facing new challenges as his ranking dips. But Roger Federer has been counted out before. Essay For Tennis Players, a Tech Lover's Paradise At an outdoor tennis lab near the beach, a longtime pro with an interest in biomechanics has perfected the gathering of video and digital data to use it to meticulously hone a swing.