Tennis in the Background - NYTimes.com Left to right, Laura Genovas, Karen Taylor, Adriane Collins, Amie Crisera, Robin Racanelli, Michelle Carvalho and Jaimie Racanelli soaked up the atmosphere at the United States Open. Tennis is a game of tradition. And for some fans, the annual visit to the United States Open in Queens is as much about soaking up the atmosphere as seeing the matches. Especially when it rains. For them, the Mojito Bar and Restaurant has provided sit-down dining and people-watching outside Arthur Ashe Stadium since 2003 (the year that Andy Roddick, now retired, won). The restaurant, which serves Latin-influenced fare, was redesigned this year to evoke South Beach. It's Florida à la Flushing, punctuated by red and gold patio umbrellas on the terrace and artsy chandeliers inside. IN THE SEATS Before noon on Wednesday, a group of seven smartly dressed women from the South Shore of Long Island was already seated outside, toasting to friendship. "The first thing we do when we get in the gate is we eat and drink," said Robin Racanelli, 53, an entrepreneur. We make a beeline right here to the Mojito cafe. She brought her daughter, Jaimie, 24, and her daughter's colleague at the American Heart Association, Michelle Carvalho, 32. The group's tennis expert, Amie Crisera, 40, an assistant pro at Deer Park Tennis Club, sat across from Laura Genovas, 53, who owns an Italian restaurant in Babylon. Adriane Collins, 50, an infectious disease doctor, was persuaded to leave work for the outing. Karen Taylor, 55, a paralegal, completed the party. WHY THEY CAME They bought grounds passes for $64.50. "This is our shopping, drinking, eating, enjoying the crowds day - that part of the U.S. Open," Robin Racanelli said. After lunch, they go shopping. "And then we walk around the courts, and we see a little tennis," she added. Sometimes we see the really big star walking around - the Federer and Nadal. Then they shop more. And have a few more drinks. A limousine will take them home. ON THE PLATES Every year, they order the same dishes: quesadillas, salads and dips. "It's consistently mediocre," Ms. Racanelli said. But Ms. Genovas, the restaurant owner, praised the squash blossom quesadillas ($18) and the mojito chicken quesadillas ($19). Ms. Crisera ordered a jalapeño-and-bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin appetizer ($15) and a shrimp and scallop ceviche ($14). The group shared the corn and crab dip ($16). There were three skirt steak Caesar salads ($29 each) and a cilantro-lime chicken Caesar ($22). To drink: a pitcher of watermelon mojitos ($40); two bottles of Chateau D'Esclans rosé ($52 each); three glasses of Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio ($14 each); and a couple of Grey Goose cocktails ($14 each). WHAT THEY TALKED ABOUT Husbands, children, shoes, love lives. "We need to have our own reality show," Ms. Genovas said. "We don't want to be "Housewives," " Dr. Collins clarified. The show would be similar to their day at the Open. "It's all based around food and wine; that's who we are," Ms. Racanelli said. How long will they keep the tradition? "Forever," she said. They'll have to wheel us in.