French Open Wrap
As my lack of posting should suggest, the French Open was extremely busy (and successful) for us here at Grand Slam Tennis Tours, and as result I could not give you my thoughts nearly as often as I wanted to. So now, after having recovered from jet lag, I will attempt to convey my thoughts about Roland Garros 2008 to you, although I may pretend I’m Federer and give up at the end. Sorry, cheap dig, I couldn’t help it.
- The weather this year was subpar, to say the least. However, while spectators might not have enjoyed some of the cloudiness and drizzle, the result was slower courts than normal, and that probably had something to do with Rafael Nadal’s complete dominance over the entire draw.
- Both female finalists, Ivanovic & Safina, did not play their best tennis in the championship match. Safina was nervous as it was her first Grand Slam final (also she has some of the same genes as Marat Safin, meaning no one knows that kind of player will show up on any given day), and Ivanovic was clearly a bit put off by finally being a favorite in a Slam final. Even though the skill wasn’t superb, it was still one of the more compelling women’s matches I’d seen in awhile, as you never really felt sure Ivanovic was going to win until the final point.
- Another note on the slow surface – while Rafa most likely would have won regardless of how fast the clay was, I do not think the same can be said for Men’s Doubles Champions Luis Horna and Pablo Cuevas. They turned the Men’s Doubles world on its head by playing from the baseline as much as possible and just rocketing forehands at their opponents. It actually rained the entire third set of their match against the Bryan brothers, and in my opinion on a bright sunny day, I don’t think the eventual champions would have survived that match.
- Unfortunately, I was traveling back to Vermont on the day of the Nadal/Federer thrashing, but if the reports about Federer giving up in the third set are true, then shame on him. He is the number one player in the world, possibly the best of all time – I don’t care if he is playing against some hybrid of Borg and Nadal, put forth your best effort, if not for yourself, for all the fans around the globe watching.
- The potential long term ramifications for Federer after getting destroyed by Nadal, in my opinion are next to nothing. It is my guess that if the two face off again at the end of this year’s Wimbledon (as they have done the past two years), Federer will be the only holding the Champion’s Trophy.
- Gael Monfils is perhaps the most athletically gifted player to set foot on a tennis court, ever. It was a pleasant surprise to see him pull a “Jo Willie Tsonga” and storm through the Men’s draw before falling to Federer. Here’s to hoping he can stay injury free over the next few years and continue to be a threat on the ATP Tour.
- I struggle with my thoughts on the Williams Sisters. They can be so frustrating to watch because everyone knows their potential, and sometimes I wish they would re-commit themselves fully to tennis. On the other hand, if dedicating themselves wholly to tennis will burn them out and have them completely out of the game sooner rather than later, then maybe pacing themselves is the best for everyone.