Wrapping up a French Open that was as compelling as it was historic:
French Open stories in the SI Vault
I must admit to you that I've followed your articles for a while and I see a bit of skepticism towards Djokovic's game. Second major in a row he is not your man to pick up the Grand Slam trophy. Although I am his compatriot I follow all the main players on Tour and it is undeniable that Nole is clear favorite for taking Roland Garros (and for most of former tennis stars). Why is so hard for tennis writers to accept the fact that he's beaten Roger Federer and Rafa for seven times in a row -- all in big tournaments? --Zeky, Belgrade, Serbia
Some "second screen" viewing: a Monday French Open Baguette ...
SI.com's Jon Wertheim breaks down the men's and women's seeds at the French Open. Read on for the top first-round matchups, dark horses and predictions.
The women's tour may be in a chaotic stage just now, with so many top players either injured or off-form, but the men's draw in this week's Madrid event has the look of a major. It's easy to project a Rafael Nadal-Novak Djokovic final, and that's definitely what everyone wants to see, but consider the other storylines:
Martina Navratilova takes us on a tour of Roland Garros, home of the French Open.
PARIS -- The thing I love most about this city is its indifferent personality, particularly when it comes to hosting out-of-towners. Where other places bend over backwards to be at a visitor's beckon call, Paris hisses "get it yourself."
We had fog and Fognini. Cat fights and chat fights. Discussions about lace (Venus) and discussions about pace (Nadal). Oh, and they played some tennis, too. Through seven days at the French Open -- and Maria Sharapova and Justine Henin deadlocked at a set apiece -- we dispense midterm grades.
A quick baguette for Friday. We'll be back Sunday with Midterm Grades...
Hey everyone. From the full disclosure department, I'm back in New York. But we've gotten lots of mail, links and tidbits, so we'll try and do brief baguettes...
The popularity of the French Open has opened up the potential for the Roland Garros to be moved to another location.
World tennis number three Rafael Nadal tells CNN about why he felt he lost last years French Open tournament.
Since you wrote, "When Thomaz Bellucci wins the French Open, you heard it here first," there's been a lot of talk here in Brazil about Bellucci being a real contender for this year's RG. Even some Web sites are writing headlines like, "American tennis expert considers Bellucci a favourite to win Roland Garros." Can you tell us your honest opinion on Thomaz' future? --Celso, Curitiba, Brazil
CNN's Pedro Pinto talks to defending French Open champion Ana Ivanovic about her chances in this years competition.
World Number 2 Roger Federer talks to CNN's Pedro Pinto about his chances at this years French Open tournament.
SI.com's Jon Wertheim breaks down the men's and women's seeds at the French Open. Read on for the top first-round matchups, dark horses to watch and his predicted winners.
I know how Roger Federer feels. For years, I could not beat Priest Holmes in chess. You might remember Holmes, the star running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, the guy who led the NFL in rushing in 2001, the guy who seemed to score three or four touchdowns every week when you were playing against him in fantasy football. We had a weekly chess match for a while.
Our guest today is widely regarded as the greatest player ever to set foot on the tennis court. He's Roger Federer, I'm Anjali Rao, and this is Talk Asia.
Let's start with the fallout from the men's final in Paris. There were a lot of questions about the Nadal-Federer match and its consequences. In the interest of economy, I'll condense to five thoughts.
PARIS -- Ana Ivanovic will be the new No. 1 player on the Sony Ericcson WTA Tour on Monday, and it'll only be a matter of time until she's a household name in the United States. Ivanovic has the rare combination of beauty and skill that translates on and off the court. She has the work ethic and credibility to ward off the inevitable comparisons that will be made with other over-marketed female stars and the legitimate appeal to attract everyone from fans to sponsors alike.
Like skid marks at a crash site, tracks in the clay told the story of the 2008 French Open. Want to know why Rafael Nadal won his fourth straight title, humiliating Roger Federer in the final? All you had to do was look at the court. It was streaked and slashed, indicating the lengths Nadal had raced to retrieve balls. Forward, back, at odd angles, into the courtside geranium boxes.
Cleaning out the notebook after a rollicking French Open. Herewith, 50 thoughts and observations from Paris.
Five things we learned from Friday's two semifinals at Roland Garros:
Rafael Nadal speaks to press in the build up to the 2008 French Open at Roland Garros.
PARIS -- Occasionally I get to write a story on someone I not only respect, but also someone I consider a friend. This is one of those times. I have tremendous admiration for Wayne Odesnik, the 22-year-old native of South Florida, for his dedication and willingness to do whatever it takes to reach his potential.
Gustavo Kuerten, one of the great champions of the last decade and a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer, played his last match Sunday, retiring following his first-round French Open loss to Paul-Henri Mathieu.
As I write this, I'm 40,000 miles above ground hitching a ride on a private plane with tennis legend Pete Sampras. We're headed to Boston, where he'll be competing in the Outback Champions Series, and I'll be covering the tournament for television.
MELBOURNE, Australia -- Do you like Jelena Jankovic's game and personality? Overrated or underrated? -- K-Rule, Sydney, Australia
Sports Illustrated will announce its choice for Sportsman of the Year on Dec. 3. Here's one of the nominations for that honor by an SI writer. For more essays, click here.
One-on-one with Roger Federer
Roger Federer moaned, and everyone knew: It would end soon. Grunting and screeching are tennis staples, of course, but not for Federer. Usually he embodies the quaint notion of striving quietly. But he had just made his final desperate run at Rafael Nadal and the 2007 French Open title, muffing the last of 16 break points he'd let slip this day. It was 5:50 p.m. on Sunday, in the second game of the fourth set, and after Federer rolled a backhand wide, his first groan echoed across the clay. On the next point Federer shanked another stray backhand and yelled in despair, and the 15,166 fans jammed into Court Philippe Chatrier knew it was done. Nadal had cracked him open for all to hear. Again.
Some stateside observations and random thoughts, wrapping up the French. We'll be back next week with a conventional Mailbag.
PARIS -- "Americans Bomb out of French Open." "Nightmare for U.S. Tennis." "Slip-Sliding Away, USA."
This was last September, just after Justine Henin had enraged yet another opponent. She was sitting in the player's lounge at the 2006 U.S. Open, speaking of the time when she had a chance to meet her childhood idol, Steffi Graf. The two women had happened to be on the same flight to somewhere.
SI.com: A change at the topupdated: Tue May 15 2007 16:29:00
Your thoughts on Roger Federer's split from his coach? I say good! -- Natasha, Toronto
SI.com: Clay-court warriorsupdated: Wed Apr 25 2007 10:27:00
Since clay-court season is upon us, I was wondering who you think is the greatest dirt-baller to play the game. Bjorn Borg? Guillermo Vilas? And where would Rafael Nadal fall in that category? -- Andrea, Richmond, Texas
SI.com: Equal pay for playupdated: Tue Feb 27 2007 16:11:00
I suppose you are crowing now that Wimbledon has capitulated to the ridiculous claim by women tennis players for equal pay for less work? Where is the backbone of the men in the ATP who agree to play longer hours for the same pay? Where, pray tell, is the equality? Why not just have one championship open to all players regardless of gender? -- Al Ferg, Sherbrooke
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