I am not sure many of you follow other sports than football but if you do, welcome to the club! Besides my AFC and PSG passion, I am an avid tennis fan and am devouring the French open at the moment and it is quite an interesting one so far…
In the women’s side, the highest ranked player left is last year’s winner Swiatek. I really like the way she plays and her attitude. She is playing solid tennis with the necessary hints of risk but tomorrow, she may lose to the Greek sensation, Sakkari. She is very solid, extremely consistent and also physically ready for a grueling battle. I think that the winner of the F.O will be the winner of this encounter. Today, Zidansek and Pavluchenkova qualifed but neither will prevail in the final and I am not sure Coco Gauff is ready yet…so if all goes according to plan, we should see Zwiatek land her second Roland-Garros. The talk of the tournament was of course Osaka and what she has done by pulling out citing mental health issues was not only brave but pioneering. She is really a trail blazer and the leader of woman’s tennis. This French Open also showed that Serena probably will never lift the F.O trophy again but that she can still compete so I wouldn’t put it past her to win another 2 slams especially at Wimbledon and the US Open. On another note, Rybankina and Badosa have the weapons to be top 10 players but will they have the mental fortitude on court to realize their potential?
On the men’s side, Roger came to Paris to prepare Wimbledon so let us hope for him that he actually goes far in Wimbledon and ideally wins it. I d like him to leave tennis on a victorious note and ideally at Wimbledon but the Olympics would also do 🙂 Rafa seems destined to win another RG. He is just so good on clay and so hard to beat. Given the current draw and level of play of the other players so far, only Tsitsipas could stop him and that would be in the final. So I am confident of a Rafa – Tsisipas final with a 4 sets victory of Rafa. If you would like to bet an upset, do not understimate the chances of Berretini against Djokovic – the Italian guy is playing very well and our Serb maestro is not his usual clinical and sharp self so I could see Berretini winning in 4 sets tomorrow against Djoko to set-up his semi-final against Rafa. On the other side of the raw, Zverev is looking too timid in his intentions to be able to beat Tsitsipas so that is an easy call…The talk of the tournament has been the emergence of Italian tennis with Berretini, Musetti (I call him Baby Fed because he has the best shot-making ability on tour), Sinner reaching the last 16…Well done to our Italian friends for the production of a golden generation of tennis players.
We are slowly coming to the end of the Fed and Williams era and we are not far away from ending the dominance of Nadal-Djoko with the solidification of the challengers pack (Tsitsi, Medvedev, Zverev, Berretini) and the emergence of huge talents (Musetti, Sinner) so definitely exciting times for the neutral fans
So here are my two cents on tennis and looking forward to your thoughts on Tennis or on whether the abysmal form of French tennis players could be compensated by Les Bleus’ triumph at the Euros?
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I enjoy a trip down to Wimbledon in June. A few jugs of Pimms with some strawberries and cream. Lovely!
The tennis players are all pretty clearly on PEDs. Struggle to watch it on TV.
Usually get in a bit of cricket at the Oval or Lords over the summer too.
Not likely to happen this year though.
I do love a Wimbledon trip as well…I m missing the Australian Open – otherwise, I have been to the three other slams and have to say that Wimbledon is very special. I love the side courts and the proximity with the players – it s amazing. The Pimms, Strawberries and Creams do help make the experience enjoyable indeed
Regular attendee at Wimbledon through ballot over the years, RC.
Less interested in clay court tennis, although much respect for Nadal.
As a passionate follower of all sport ( except F1), more than happy with change of discussion point. Never scared.
So what’s your take on Wimbledon this year? Do you think RF has a chance?
RC
Certainly, and hope so! As with his efforts in the French, needs to preserve energy ( no five setters followed by game within 24hrs), but his genius on grass always pleases.
Will be interesting who actually comes to the UK. Raonic and other big serving Americans and Australians? My interest is surpassed by 100% by my good lady’s, who will watch live and repeats 24/7. Good job I have my own “sports tele room”!!
All players will come to Wimby if allowed to come to the country…Let us see what happens on 21 June
What of French hopes? Monfils and Paire?
Think your footballers have a better chance.😁
I am hoping the football squad redeems the worse French open for singles’ player ever…We didn’t have one player in the 3rd round, disaster…
Gasquet, Tsonga, Monfils, Simon = Great hopes, no slams. Regular Top 10-20 for years though.
Paire = a crazy fuse.
Pouille = not physically fit enough to sustain ATP tour greatness
Mahut, Humbert, Gaston = not good enough for GS glory in singles
France has not won a GS in men’s tennis since 1983…Luckily, we had some wonderful women players with Pierce, Mauresmo and the unlikely Bartoli who all won slams…but now in women’s tennis, there is no one…our best hope is Caroline Garcia but she is just not focused enough to win a slam.
So I think French tennis will be in a dump for about 20 years now with our glory coming from Doubles only through Mahut-Humbert and this is only for another year or so…
Meanwhile Swiatek about to lose…Sakkari now the favourite to win the French Open
Disappointing match by Swiatek…now Sakkari is the favourite and a new GS winner on the women’s side for sure now
Meanwhile, still talking about French players, Guendouzi (a PSG academy product) has reached an agreement with Olympique Marseille (PSG’s archenemesis club). Arsenal is asking for 15 Mln EUR + bonus/add-ons.
Merci Matteo! A bientot!
Thanks for a good read RC
On balance I prefer team sports to individual (although I have enjoyed watching boxing and athletics in the past).
I have watched some terrific tennis finals over the years but I don’t really follow the game.
After footy, it’s rugby, cricket and NBA for me.
NBA can be fun indeed and Rugby too…I have no patience for Cricket though…
Nadal is through…
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Thanks for this blog postt