Roland Garros – French Open
The French Open in Paris, which runs from May 23 to June 6, is just about here. This is also to a very exciting time in tennis, when two Grand Slams, the French Open and Wimbledon, follow each other closely.
While Roger Federer dominated the French Open last year, Rafael Nadal can travel to Paris with a lot of self-confidence. After his struggles with knee problems last year, he seems to be fit and ready with three tournament victories in Monte Carlo, Rome and Madrid on the way to the Coupe des Mousequetaires. By the way, Nadal has tied my husband’s record of 17 Masters in 1000-tournaments – and he is only 23 years old. What an accomplishment!
As far as the men’s side is concerned, I am expecting a duel between Federer and Nadal. When you look at the competition between these two statistically, Nadal becomes the clear favorite, since the Spaniard leads against the Swiss with 14:7 victories, including a sensational record of 10:2 on clay. The road to the final will also be a bit smoother due to the fact that other favorites like Del Potro or Davydenko have pulled out due to inuries.
Regarding the women, I think the field looks more open. My tip for the favorite goes to the No. 1 and 2 set Williams sisters or Justine Henin. After her great comeback at the beginning of this year with her competing in the Australian Open final, I think she will also play an important role at the French Open. She likes playing in Paris, she has won 4 of her 7 Grand Slam titles there and the clay is ideal for her game. Unfortunately, Kim Clijsters had to pull out because of her foot injury so the best hope for Belgium lies on Henin. I also expect good matches from other players like Jankovic, Wozniacki or the defending champion Kuznetsova.
The different winners of the preparation tournaments on clay show the surprises that can come along with this surface, such as Aravene Rezai, who defeated Venus Williams in the Madrid-finale. Because especially on clay, some players can take advantage of their skills depending on the sliding technique and weather conditions. With dryness the play on clay is faster, with coldness and rain it is slower and since the rallies usually take longer on clay, peak physical fitness is more of a factor than on other surfaces. So I am excited to see if there are similar surprises to last year à la Soderling and I am looking forward to many good matches.
HAI,POSTER GIRL OF THE CENTURY,I AM UNABLE TO FOCUS ON
MY BODY BUILDING.ANY INSPIRATIONAL TIPS.
tennis never be the same since your retirement Steffi.please make a comeback. http://sgtribute.blogspot.com
Yes, Steffi, I watch the French Open on Tennis Channel and all I see is YOU playing on those clay courts. Please make a comeback !!!
we are in taiwan .we are all your fans..waitting for your coming.steffi…there are also a friend. maybe you still remember her. she love you so much too.she is 胡娜. http://www.huna.com.tw/html/show.htm. we really miss you until you leave..maybe when you have time..you can come to taiwan.a beautiful country..you can play with 胡娜 .that is our the biggest wish. steffi you are the greatest for us .no one play tennis like you..we really miss you so much..sorry my english is not very well. we hope someday we can see you in taiwan.
I hope Justine and Nadal will win rolland Garros 2010,,
will you be a comentator Steffi, it must be great to hear you talk about them,, wow,, I still remembered every moment you showed at this tournamment 1987,1988,1989(ru) 1990(ru) 1992(ru) 1993, 1995,1996,1999…what a memorabila,,,
i’ve never forgotten and will never forget the match you played vs. Ms. Monica Seles at Roland Garros ‘92…
you have the great respected reputation,successful career,family,good husband children,popularity and a heart for public service.You can easily won titles.we saw your recent play in wimbledon roof in 2009. I think you lost yourself for encourage Kim’s comeback. Your fans still believe you can win slams and beat anyone. How cute if Andre and your children watching while you playing. We don’t ask for playing tight schedule or more years,but play 2years like 98-99. We will see Ms.Agassi (play for GERMANY) soon.please reply.
Steffi has nothing to prove. She had a great career.
She has 2 little children who need her more than fans.
We just have to thank her for the great moments she has offered.
Readers please join as followers on our Steffi site: http://sgtribute.blogspot.com
No one will complete the Grand Slam this year.
i saw a news that is Andre Agassi and safin will come to taiwan next year .we hope you can come to taiwan too. There are many fans waiting for your coming.
Hi Steffi,
Wow, Steffi, what did you think of the women’s final this weekend?
Were you surprised by the outcome ? I could never have predicted it !
I thought it was great with the two new Finalists of Francesca Schiavone and Samatha Stosur playing great games on their way to the French Open Finals, and especially the fantastic performance of Francesca Schiavone of Italy, making history to become the first Italian woman ever to win the French Open and probably the first Italian woman ever to kiss the clay courts in Paris so often ! Samantha Stosur played great too, but Francesca’s play was overpowering ! Better luck to Samantha next year !
The Men’s Final was more predictable, although Roger Federer’s sudden absence was another surprise, with Rafael Nadal playing an outstanding game after recovering from his knee problems of last year. He was moving and running very well, and hitting shots with great accuracy and power , and as you mentioned, he was definitely the clear favorite and he earned this great win in all respects. Robin Sonderling is a great player too, but today was just not his day. Better luck to him next year !
But of course, Steffi, no one could ever match your graceful, elegant, inspiring, powerful, and outstanding tennis playing !
Roland Garros is always good for surprises. But who could ever expect Schiavone to win?
Comme c’est beau! Elle en sera très touchée!
Comme c’est beau aussi !