ATP, WTA French Open, Paris France
Look Ma there is a picture. Yes well it is a slam after all so I
figure I can change my mind about no pictures for a slam for goodness
sake. Besides blame it on Hartt who is like a kid in a candy store
about RG as evidenced by her enlightening narrative below. Yep
division of duties and knowing when to delegate is definitely a thing.
Thank you Hartt and take a bow!!! I think you should apply to
become a tennis announcer - yes!!!👏👏 Just don't let us spoil them
though.
Tournament runs from May 30 – June 13, a week later than normal.
The French Open, founded in 1891, is celebrating its 130th anniversary,
and has seen many magical moments over the years. Daily play begins
at 11:00 am on Sunday, May 30; the women’s final takes place on June 12,
and the men’s on June 13.
It is that exciting time again, Roland Garros, aka the French Open. Or, as
Master Ace rightly calls it, the Rafael Nadal Invitational. The Rafans must be
practicing their happy dance, preparing for Rafa title #14, wanting to see him
lift the Coupe de Mousquetaires yet again. This year’s RG could see records being broken. Nadal already holds the
record for the number of titles at one tournament, his 13 at the French
Open. But if he wins this year he will be the oldest RG titlist at age
35, older than his countryman, Andres Gimenco, who won in 1972 at 34.
But an even bigger record will be the number of majors. He is currently
tied with Federer at 20, but he could achieve
the record, at least for the present, at 21.
We must not forget the defending women’s champion, Iga Swiatek, who took
Roland Garros by storm last fall. Like her idol, Rafa, Iga’s birthday
falls during RG, and she turns 20 this year.
One innovation is night matches on the main court, Philippe Chatrier,
scheduled to begin each evening at 9:00. In addition to the usual singles
and doubles, RG features mixed doubles, boys’ and girls’ tourneys and
wheelchair competitions. These are even more important for the players
now, when so many tournaments were cancelled or reduced because of Covid.
----Men ----
Men’s top seeds are:
Djokovic, Medvedev, Nadal, Thiem, Tsitsipas, Zverev, Rublev and Federer. Other notables include youngster Casper
Ruud, who is having a great clay court season, winning in Geneva, and Matteo
Berrettini, who recently took the Belgrade title. The big news is that Djokovic and
Rafa are in the same half of the draw, meaning if they face each other it
will be before the final. Federer is not considered a threat at this RG,
but he is in Djokovic’s quarter, so the Big 3 are in the same half of the
draw.
Draw
OOP
Doubles Draw
----Women ----
Women's seeds are:
Barty, Osaka, Sabalenka, Kenin, Svitolina, Andreescu, Serena, and
Swiątek. Other notables include 2020 finalist, Kvitova, and 2016
Champion, Muguruza. Plus 17-year-old Coco Gauff,
fresh off winning both the singles and doubles titles in Parma. Sadly, the
2018 RG champ, Simona Halep, withdrew because of injury.
Draw
OOP
Doubles Draw
*********
Whatever happens at this year’s Roland Garros, one thing is certain, it
will not be boring!
***Don't forget you have until June 6th to change your list of favs***
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