Greetings again from Roland Garros! This second entry offers a hodgepodge of diverse tidbits to make up for the tedious, tactical match analysis of the first one back on Thursday. I know many readers enjoy the X’s and O’s of our wonderful game, but I bet that even the most meticulously rigid readers of this blog cannot honestly say that they wouldn’t enjoy some light-hearted material to browse through. Thus, here is hoping that your definition of “light-hearted” matches with mine.
How about the best picture from each day of this week, so far? It will be chosen from a variety of shots taken by me and carefully selected by the photo committee consisting of one member, me. I only arrived on Monday, May 25th, so there is nothing for the first day of the tournament which took place on Sunday the 24th.
Monday – From the Musée Roland Garros
Men’s tennis shoe, or rather “boot,” from the 1900s – on display at the Musée Roland Garros
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Tuesday – let’s have fun with captions.
Federer: “I wish Sevi wouldn’t look at me this close.”
Luthi: “I can’t even look at that forehand, it’s so terrible!”
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Wednesday – The crowd gathered around the entrance to the protocol and the player’s lounge at Court Philippe Chatrier, all in the name of catching a glimpse of their heros.
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Thursday – The most-traveled walkway in Roland Garros, the alley from Suzanne Lenglen to Philippe Chatrier. Yes, to walk the distance of around 100 meters between the two courts can (and will most likely) turn into a nightmare trip.
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Friday – You cannot be serious! What is he doing here? One certainty, he definitely seems to be in pain trying to bend down for that low ball. Actually, he is here for the Legends’ Trophy (June 2-7).
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Saturday – Jeremy Chardy defeating his second to-20 opponents in a row (John Isner, David Goffin) on the “Bull Ring” court, Court no. 1. When asked, Chardy said he feels as if that court is his home.
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Say what? – Part 1
If you have followed tennis remotely, you may not know this. If you are an avid fan of tennis, you will know it. If you are a casual fan of tennis but an ardent fan of Roger Federer, you will know this without a doubt. If you are working as a media member at one of the four Majors, you should know this. What am I talking about? It’s Federer’s yearly stop by the grass-court tournament in Halle, Germany, prior to Wimbledon. In fact, a good portion of the people who fit in one of the categories above will know that the Swiss has a lifetime agreement with that tournament that takes place during the same week as the Queens tournament in London, another well-known grass-court event. Yet, a media member asked Roger – after listing the names of the important grass-court tournaments leading up to Wimbledon mind you? – if he was going to play a tournament on grass and which one it would be. Roger answered in one word before the guy even finished his question completely: “Halle”
Say what? – Part 2
Earlier today Timea Bacsinszky entered the post-match press conference, probably expecting an awkward question or two coming her way, in the same way that every other player does, after having acquired some experience in dealing with media members who have never played competitive tennis in their lives outside of club/veteran tennis (and that is, if…), or others who are looking for a sensational slogan. But I am not sure she expected this. A journalist, impressed with Timea’s concentration level during the match, said one “could put Brad Pitt or Leonardo DiCaprio naked in front of her, and she would still remain focused on the match!” What do you say to something like that? How about Bacsinszky’s response? –-> “Could you find another example of what could destabilize me? That would make me neither hot nor cold.”
More pictures
I love the staircase that takes you down to the Museum at Roland Garros, because you have to walk by this giant wall donning all the previous winners.
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11 AM at the main A and B gates.. Endless crowd waiting to get in. At least, the kids in front kept their good humor.
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German Fans – No commentary needed!
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The Americans’ hopes rest on the shoulders of Jack Sock! Next up for him on Sunday: none other than Rafael Nadal.
Note: Follow Mertov’s Tennis Desk on Twitter for frequent live updates from Roland Garros
Hi Mert,
Glad you are having such a great time at Roland Garros and are taking the time to share it with us. I valued very much your detailed analysis of the Cuevas – Thiem game. I’ve been making do with the single channel TV which chops and changes between matches, which is annoying if you like to see a match from start to finish. From what I saw I was very impressed with Thiem. I would have liked one of the young Australians to have done better today but it was a learning experience for both and there is hope for the future.
There was some talk that Nadal has blackballed one of the chair umpires in presiding over his matches. Did you hear any of this? I think it would be a bad precedent. for several reasons.
That is quite a crowd there in such confined spaces. Reminds me of the US airport I was at last week when I had to change planes. Should be more relaxed in Washington and Cincinnati.
Hi John,
There is no doubt that it will be more relaxed in Cincy and D. C. !!!
Yes, Rafa had a tension moment with a journalist when the latter asked about the Bernardes situation. Rafa basically got mad and told the journalist that after he retires people can talk to others in the tennis world and if anyone says they had a problem with him, then they can come to Mallorca and ask him about it. The journalist jokingly said “Am I invited too?” and Rafa would have none of that joke, told him (raising his voice), that “no, you are not invited because you always ask polemical questions.” What is funny there is that the way he dealt with the journalist resembles the way he deals with Bernardes. Haha..
Don’t get me started about the lack of space at Roland Garros. You know I have beaten that bush to the max in the past 🙂
Take care
Dear Mert, thisis my outspoken “public”apology, for having left you this time in the middle of the “quinzaine’ of RG! My consolation is your great pieces of writing that I read with huge appetite! Great fun and well illustrated too! 5 french on th run, trust me it’ll be fun! Enjoy and don’t forget to send me your whereabouts, who knows my ghost might find you at the Şenglen bar or Chardy’s court number one (well court number one must be over for men’s singles this year right?)
All the best mydear friend
Bedri Baykam
Bedri, thanks my friend! Yearly encounters with you at Roland Garros are the best ! Yes, I am around and always ready for our tennis talks. We’ll keep in touch.
About the crowds, it was pointed out on TV this morning that when it rains, there is nowhere for them to go! Must be quite a crush. From Bedri’s remark above, maybe the Seglen bar is the place to go (if you can get in).
John, check this photo out from one of my earlier tweets today when it was raining.. It should give you an idea..
https://twitter.com/MertovsTDesk/status/604949247604178946
Mert,
Looks like your really having a good time at RG. The picture of the boot was very interesting and can you imagine today’s players wearing that boot. They wouldn’t last a more than a couple of points because they are so spoilt ha ha! Look forward to more updates from RG and keep up the good work 🙂
Umit
Come on Umit… Today’s talented guys like you and I would have no problem in 1900s boots, sandals, or today’s Nike’s.. Are you kidding? 🙂