"Where's the cup?" USTA exec Joe Favorito asked me, as if I was supposed to keep an eye on it. A few feet away, U.S. Open champion Marat Safin wearily fielded questions and squinted into the TV lights. Favorito asked again, his eyes nervously scanning the Russian Tea Room for Safin's new hardware. I joined him in his search, feeling strangely responsible for the disappearance of the U.S. Open trophy because Favorito had directed the question at me. Normally a conspicuous piece of work, the silver cup blended in, looking like merely another borscht pot in the gaudy surroundings of the ornate restaurant. Favorito finally spied the trophy -- someone had placed it on a far-off table after Safin had finished taking pictures with it.

You can't blame Favorito for being protective. Not only is the cup made of Tiffany silver and worth about $100,000, but it's also had a very rough 24 hours. Just minutes after Safin thumped Pete Sampras in straight sets to win the Open on Sunday night, the Russian dropped the trophy -- twice -- on the court. Then, after spending the night in the trunk of Favorito's car, the dinged-up cup was carried into the Tea Room in Favorito's turquoise Nike duffel bag.

But on Monday Safin looked more worn than the trophy. Wearing an unbuttoned collared shirt, a T-shirt and jeans, Safin shuffled listlessly into the Tea Room, tearing into the spread of salmon tartare, caviar and deviled eggs before answering any questions. In between interviews, he rubbed his eyes and wore the hangdog expression of a 20-year-old who had been out way too late the night before. Which he had, celebrating at trendy nightclub 357 with new acquaintance Lenny Kravitz.

"I've had no chance to realize what I've done," he said. No kidding -- Safin's manager showed me the laundry list of his upcoming appearances. A few hours later, Safin would be subjecting his broken English and million-dollar smile to the comedic wrath of David Letterman.

Safin didn't stay long -- soon he was off to snag a nap before The Late Show. Once he was safely out the door -- and the embattled trophy was back in Favorito's hands -- the protector of the grail allowed himself a sigh of relief. The trophy would be safely returned to the Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I., where it will be out of harm's way. Safin will receive a replica, as all winners do. As far as Favorito is concerned, the Russian ace can drop that one all he wants.