2012 Roland Garros Preview by Tennis Now

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WHAT’S INSIDE LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

p.7

HISTORY OF THE FRENCH OPEN

p.9-10 VARVARA LEPCHENKO: OFF THE RADAR AND ON THE MAP

p.12-13

CHAMPIONS NO MORE

ATP MEN’S PREVIEW

p.26-28 WILL SERENA SWEEP UP OR GET DUSTED IN PARIS?

p.32-33

MASTERFUL NADAL PRIMED FOR THE PINNACLE IN PARIS

p.34-35 RACQUET REVIEWS

p.16-18

p.39-43

WTA WOMEN’S PREVIEW

RANKINGS

p.44

p.22-24

Editor

Theodore L. LePak ted@tennisnow.com Erwin Ong

Writers

Nick Georgandis Erik Gudris Dennis Bray Ann Stark Chris Oddo

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Alberto Capetillo Juan Esparza Melinda Ramos

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Letter from the Editor As the eyes of the tennis world turn to Paris, we prepare for the excitement that approaches with Roland Garros.

look at the history of the French Open, a commentary on how champions can’t win slams on their home soil, and much more!

It’s been an eventful drive down the road to Roland Garros, with fun stops in Charleston, Stuttgart, and Barcelona! Gambling on our favorite players in Monte Carlo, slipping through the blue clay of Madrid, and blowing through the dust of Rome! Everyone loves getting dirty before cleaning up their game at the French Open.

I appreciate the great work from our writers Chris Oddo, Erik Gudris, and Nick Georgandis who work hard to produce the enticing content we bring you in every edition. Also I appreciate Dennis Bray and Ann Stark stepping up to help out when I needed a hand. Finally, I’d like bring attention to our graphics team, Juan, Alberto, and Melinda who brilliantly showcase all the hard work of Tennis Now.

In this edition, we went a little Nadal crazy, but there is no denying the clay season is his season. On the other cover, we shine the spotlight back on Serena Williams as she attempts to take the title a decade after winning her first French Open. In my opinion, it’s well over due.

We hope you enjoy this issue and we look forward to bringing you more tennis coverage following the end of the clay court season in Roland Garros!

Aside from our Nadal and Serena features, we have a feature on Juan Martin Del Potro, an interview with Varvara Lepchenko, a

Theodore LePak Editor, Tennis Now Magazine Ted@tennisnow.com

The History of Roland Garros 8

Roland Garros was a French pilot in World War I who passed away at the age of 29. He spent part of the first world war in a German POW camp, but was able to escape and rejoin the French army. In his flying career, he shot down four German planes. He was an avid tennis player and a center for the sport in Paris bore his name in honor of his heroics begininng in the 1920s. In addition to the tournament and stadium, Roland Garros’ name also adorns the international aiport in La Reunion, a French island in the Indian Ocean, and a special edition Peugeot first released in the mid 1980s. The special edition became so popular that Peugeot released Roland Garros special editions of five other of its models. The French Open was originally played at Tennis Club de Paris at Auteuli in 1891. It also saw time at Ile de Puteaux and Racing Club de France before moving to Stade Francais in 1925, which was renamed Stade Roland Garros in 1928. The tournament became open to all international amateurs in 1925. It was previously a French-only event. In 1946 and 1947, the French Open was played after Wimbledon, making it the third Grand Slam of the year. Several great all-time players struggled on the slower clay surfaces of Roland Garros, keeping them from winning career Grand Slams. Among the more famous of these are Americans Pete Sampras (14 Grand Slams, never reached the final) and Lindsey Davenport (3 Grand Slams, never reached the final); Stefan Edberg (6 Grand Slams, lost in the 1989 final), Boris Becker (6 Grand Slams, never reached the final), Martina Hingis (5 Grand Slams, lost two finals) and Maria Sharapova (3 Grand Slams, yet to reach the final). In the first year of the Open Era - 1968 - Australia’s Ken Rosewall and the United States’ Nancy Richey each won both the singles title and the same-sex doubles title. This feat has never been done in the same year by the men’s and women’s champions again. Rafael Nadal is in pursuit of his seventh French Open title. He is currently tied with Bjorn Borg with six crowns apiece - the Open Era record. Before 1925, when the event was for French club members only, Max Decugis won eight times between 1903 and 1914. Leander Paes is in search of his fourth men’s doubles title. He is currently tied for first in the Open Era with Paul Haarhuis and Yevgeny Kafelnikov with three wins. There have been two interruptions in the tournament’s history since 1891. It was not held from 1915-1919 as France was engaged in World War I and was cancelled in 1940 during the outbreak of World War II. Under the Vichy puppet government, the event resumed in 1941-1945, allowing only French players to compete.

Those latter championships - won by Bernard Destremau (in 1940 and 1941), and Yvon Petra (1943-1945) - are not recognized as legitimate. Australia’s Jack Crawford was the first non-European man to win the French Open, doing so in 1933 with an 8-6, 6-1, 6-3 victory over native Henri Cochet. After Marcel Bernard took the crown in 1946, it would be 37 years before another Frenchman won the men’s singles - the flamboyant Yannick Noah in 1983. Since Noah’s 6-2, 7-6, 7-6(3) win over Mats Wilander, the French men have gone another 28 years without a title. The Netherlands’ Kea Bouman was the first non-French woman to win the singles title at Roland Garros, doing so in 1927 with a victory over South Africa’s Irene Bowder Peacock. The first non-European to win the French Open title was the US’ Helen Wills Moody, who won it three straight years from 1928-1930 and added a fourth crown in 1932. In 1956, the US’ Althea Gibson became the first African-American woman to win a Grand Slam title when she defeated Great Britain’s Angela Mortimer Barrett. American Chris Evert won the French Open title seven times, the most by any female player. Since 2008, the four female champions have all been first-time Grand Slam winners, none of whom have won another Grand Slam title since. Despite recent shortcomings - no winner since 2002 - United States’ women have thesingles titles overall (27) and in the Open Era (13) of any country. France has the most all-time men’s singles titles at Roland Garros (38), although 37 of those came in the Amateur Era. In the Open Era, Spain has the most men’s singles titles - 12 - with half of those coming courtesy Rafael Nadal. Three men have won the French Open title without losing a single set in the tournament - Ilie Nastase in 1973, Bjorn Born in 1978 and 1980 and Rafael Nadal in 2008 and 2010. Six women have won the French Open title without losing a single set in the tournament - Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1972, Billie Jean King in 1972, Chris Evert in 1974, Steffi Graf in 1988, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in 1994 and Justine Henin in 2006 and 2007.

– Nick Georgandis

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Gear Guide Rafael Nadal

Last year, Rafael Nadal took home his 6th French Open title after defeating Roger Federer in an almost 4 hour match. After his scintillating performance in Rome this month, the â&#x20AC;&#x153;King of Clayâ&#x20AC;? will head to Paris to defend his French Open crown and aim for an unprecedented 7th title.

Nike Air Max Court Ballistec 4.3 In a red hot shade of Scarlet Fire, the Nike Air Max Courballistec 4.3 is designed to be durable with a combination of fused elements and rubber compounds placed in high-wear areas. The Courtballistec 4.3 is designed to provide traction on all surfaces, including the red clay of Roland Garros.

Racquet: Babolat Aeropro Drive GT

Nike Rafa French Crew

The Babolat Aeropro Drive GT achieves greater racquet head speed with Aeroframe construction which minimizes drag for a completely aero dynamic frame. GT technology gives Rafa the power to control the court by utilizing an advanced hybrid material.

The Spaniard continues to heat up the clay in the Nike Finals Clay Crew, in Scarlet Fire with front and back embossed graphic print. This lightweight crew is packed with performance edge too-equipped with Dri-Fit fabic, micro-perforated side panels for ventilation, and smooth, seamless shoulders.

Varvara Lepchenko: Off the Radar and on the Map Get to know America’s newest star as she heads into Roland Garros and possibly the Olympics. – Erik Gudris

Varvara Lepchenko may have been under the radar for many tennis fans at the start of the clay court season, but her run from qualifying to the quarterfinals in Madrid has made her a name to watch for Roland Garros this month, especially with her recent wins over former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone and Julia Goerges.

Rome. “As of right now, I don’t really feel it cause I’m not at Roland Garros. I just try to live everyday as it comes and not worry about other things. As for the other U.S. players, we don’t really talk about it. We are more focused on fun stuff such as how much we time we spent in the training room. Or who played who. We don’t talk about pressure.”

The journey for every player on the WTA is different, but for Varvara Lepchenko, it’s been an especially arduous one that has taken Lepchenko from her native Uzbekistan all the way to becoming a possible contender for the United States at the upcoming Summer Games. Now an American citizen, Lepchenko will face a little more scrutiny as she joins a group of U.S. players all hoping to do well in Paris. But that pressure is not something Lepchenko thinks about.

Born in Tashkent, Lepchenko left Uzbekistan as a teenager along with her parents to pursue a better life in the United States. After settling in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Lepchenko focused on her tennis game that saw her turn pro in 2001. While in the midst of playing on the tour, Lepchenko earned her green card that, although it allowed her to compete as an American, still forced Lepchenko to deal with endless bureaucratic red tape especially when it came to applying for visas to compete in tournaments outside of the country.

“I’m not so well known so nobody had time to put this pressure on me yet, ha ha,” said Lepchenko as she took a break from training in

Only when Lepchenko became a full-fledged U.S. citizen in September of last year was she able to fully focus on her tennis and not diplomatic issues that impeded her career. And the results speak for it. At the start of 2012, Lepchenko was ranked No. 110 but since Madrid she has risen to career high of No. 59. Now able to focus solely on just playing tennis, her main goal for this year was to produce consistent results day in and day out, something she chalks up to basic fundamentals. “I think its just hard work and persistence. A lot of these have to do with my new coaching team in New York,” said Lepchenko, referring to her coaching team of Jorge Todero and Jay Gooding at the USTA Training Center that have also helped U.S. players Christina McHale and Melanie Oudin. “They helped me a lot with my tennis and fitness.” Another kind of pressure Lepchenko might have to get used to is that of the upcoming Olympic Games in London this summer. With her recent rise in the rankings, Lepchenko’s name has come up quite a few times as being a possible member of Team USA. Although it would be an incredible honor for Lepchenko, it’s not something that she focuses on day to day as she heads into the second Major of the year.

all of us. I have a lot respect for him, just because how humble he is and how he tries to respect everyone. He’s a lefty so that’s gives him a lot of credit from me too.” For Lepchenko, who finally has found the right balance in her professional and personal life, she may have been off the radar for many tennis fans, but she is now firmly on the tennis map as the biggest clay court event gets underway this month.

Quick facts Favorite food: “My favorite is American steak or BBQ baby ribs. I’m a big fan of grilled steaks.” Favorite shot: “That’s a tricky question. I guess I have to say I love my backhand down the line.” Favorite Movie: “The favorite one I don’t remember. But the last one I saw and liked is Hunger Games.”

“To be honest, I don’t really think about it as much. I only know about it because of what I read on Twitter. I focus on showing great tennis and the potential that I have that’s been hidden for all these years with all the immigration and consequences I had to deal with. But it would be amazing to make the team and represent the USA. It would be surreal experience for me!” Even though she’s focused on winning on the court, Lepchenko does find time to be friends with players on both tours. It’s a balancing act but one she’s able to manage despite all the heavy travel involved with being a full-time pro. “I have a lot of friends on the tour. Because our schedule is so busy, it’s hard to do a lot of things together but we try. Had a dinner with Anna Tatashvili recently and also with Denis Istomin and his mom since we grew up together. A lot of girls are nice and friendly. You just balance things. When you play you focus on the ball. When you are outside the court, you just socialize with a lot players and friends.” While some fans have recently complained about what they feel is an upswing in unsportsmanlike behavior from several players, Lepchenko sees it as part of the competitive nature of the sport. Lepchenko looks to a fellow lefty for inspiration on how to act on a court - Rafael Nadal. “It really has to do with finding balance on and off the court and learning how to control your emotions. Rafael is a big example to

Champions No More Is the Dream of Winning a Slam on Home Soil Dead? Quick: tell me the last time a male player won a Slam on his home soil. If you are still thinking about the answer to this questions you are not alone. It has, to put it modestly, been a while. But it’s not just the men. Sure, Serena Williams and her sister Venus notched five US Open titles in the first ten years of the century, but what happens when they retire? To be fair, it’s not just the Americans who are in trouble. The French men are getting close to thirty years of Slamlessness since Yannick Noah went on his magic clay ride in 1983, but since then, c’est la vie... In Australia, things are equally disconcerting. You have to go back to 1978 for the women and 1976 for the men to find the last homegrown champion to win in Melbourne. And in England, well let’s just say that the English are redefining ineptitude on the men’s

side. It’s been 76 years since Fred Perry last graced the neatly manicured lawns of the All England Club with the winner’s trophy in his hand. Though Virginia Wade provided the local fanatics with a reprieve when she won the women’s singles title on Wimbledon’s Centennial in 1977, it’s been nothing but disappointment since. (Sorry Andy Murray and Tim Henman, but it has...) You might be wondering where I am going with all of this depressing talk, and the truth is I don’t know. Anyhow, to get back to the original question, Andy Roddick is the last male player to win a Grand Slam on his home soil, in 2003. Since then a three-headed monster equal parts Swiss, Spanish and Serbian has swallowed up nearly every trophy in its path. Whoever could have foreseen that happening at the time Roddick was slamming aces past Juan Carlos Ferrero in the 2003 US Open

photo: Tony Chang/Chang Photography

final with unheard of ease would have been considered crazier than Galileo when he said that the earth revolves around the sun. But he would have been right. Nowadays it’s hard to imagine the opposite happening. Naturally, there will come a time when Federer, Nadal and Djokovic are no longer winning Slams, but even so, it’s certainly not a given that the Slam-hosting nations--those once proud tennis juggernauts who gobbled up Grand Slams like 10-year-olds gobble up candy on Halloween--will ever return to glory. Can they? I asked Jose Higueras, the USTA’s Director of Coaching about that last year at Indian Wells. “My answer to that is that the United States is the same size as ever, and we used to have a lot of great champions,” said Higueras. “I think the cause is the culture. I think the culture in all those places [the Serbias and Belaruses of the world] is a lot tougher than our culture is on the kids. And I don’t mean tough in a negative way, I’m saying tougher in terms of what it takes to make a great tennis player.” It makes you wonder, have the former empires of tennis gone soft? Is that what this slow and painful decline is all about? Or is it just the fact that the rest of the world has embraced tennis in a way that the

U.S., Australia, France and Great Britain no longer do? “I think it goes in cycles, but I don’t think we can blame it on the cycle for that long,” Higueras continued. “I don’t think our kids are as hungry as some of the other kids. Some people don’t like me to say that but I think that’s the truth. I think it’s a culture that is getting better. And it gets better by telling the kids the truth, and telling the parents the truth.” As hard as it might be to digest what Higueras is saying, he’s not off the mark. To make matters worse, there is an air of defeatism surrounding the players ranked outside of the top four, as evidenced by Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga last week in Rome. “Let’s be clear,” Tsonga said, “there’s no chance that a Frenchman will win Roland Garros. It’s just an observation.” If there was ever a way to ensure that all the big titles that are currently on offer in the men’s game went to the same three players, Tsonga might have figured it out. Just concede victory to them before you even take the court. Yannick Noah, the last Frenchman to win at Roland Garros, expressed disappointment regarding Tsonga’s lousy attitude. “The worst thing is not even dreaming of a victory,” Noah told L’equipe

earlier this week. “What happens is that the French do not even dream of winning.” But disappointment won’t fix the problem. Only a better work ethic and a bigger dream will. So true. And so sad. It begins with a vision and a desire, and if the nations who formerly dominated the sport no longer possess the imagination to see their future selves victorious, hoisting a Grand Slam trophy while an

adoring arena full of their countrymen roar their approval, then the Slam-Hosting nations truly do have a long way to go. Let’s hope, for the sake of all young players in America, Australia, France and Great Britain, that the dream doesn’t die just because it seems far-fetched. It has been done before and it can be done again. But not without blood, sweat, tears and a lot of sweet dreams.

– Erik Gudris

Number of Grand Slam Singles Titles Won by Host Nation, by Decade Year ‘70 – ’79 ‘80 – ’89 ‘90 – ’99 ‘00 – ’12

Australian Open 13 – 9w, 4m 0 0 0

French Open 0 1m 0 1w

Wimbledon 1w 0 0 0

US Open 13 – 8w, 5m 8 – 3w, 5m 7 – 2w, 5m 7 – 5w, 2m

m: men | w: women

Last Players to Win a Grand Slam at Home Australian Open Mark Edmondson ‘78 Christine O’Neil ‘76 18

French Open Yannick Noah ‘83 Mary Pierce ‘00

Wimbledon Fred Perry ‘36 Virginia Wade ‘77

US Open Andy Roddick ‘03 Serena Williams ‘08

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Gear Guide Roger Federer

This time last year, Federer was busy putting an end to Novak Djokovicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 43-match winning streak. The Swiss dropped Djokovic in the semifinals of the 2011 French Open, only to be defeated by Rafel Nadaql in a riveting 4-set final match. This year, the former finalist will hit the clay aiming for a comeback.

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Racquet: Wilson Pro Staff Six.One 90BLX

Nike RF Smash Clay Polo

The Wilson Pro Staff Six.One 90 BLX is designed for enchanced feel and maximum control, featuring a legendary construction and a modern handle system. Amplifeel technology delivers a pure feel by replacing sections of the traditional foam in the handle pallet with graphite and basalt plates.

This ultra sleek polo in Anthracite with Cyber accents features a seamless design, allowing increased range of motion with reduced irritation. Also equipped with Dri-Fit UV fabric, the Smash Clay Polo wicks sweat while protecting sking from harmful UV rays.

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Women’s Preview

by Erik Gudris

Will Madame Li Reign Again in Paris? The last few years have seen several surprise winners of the Women’s Singles event at Roland Garros. From Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova in 2009, Italy’s Francesca Schiavone gutty run in 2010 and the unexpected title run of China’s Li Na in 2011. Does another surprise await Paris or will we see one of the established names on the WTA Tour hoist the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen?

Azarenka’s Section Current World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka has reached the quarterfinals of Paris twice in her career and there’s nothing to suggest she won’t do it again this year. Azarenka opens up

against Italy’s Alberta Brianti and could likely face either No. 20 seed Lucie Safarova or No. 15 seed Dominika Cibulkova in the fourth round. The only real question for Azarenka in the first week could be her health, especially her shoulder that forced her to pull out of Rome. Azarenka appeared to finally banish the headcasey, injury riddled days of her past en route to winning her first Major in Melbourne. But could “the old Vika” resurface at the worst possible time in Paris? French Open finalist and No. 6 seed Sam Stosur has landed in this side and she will seek to redeem herself after a shock early round loss last year to Gisela Dulko where the disappointment of losing to Schiavone the previous year was still evident on Stosur’s face. But with the U.S. Open title now on her resume, Stosur has turned the page and looks to claim the second Major that she wants to win. She could have to battle against Russian veteran Nadia Petrova, a player who is one of the few that can push Stosur around on a court. No. 12 seed Sabine Lisicki is also here, but she may not be a factor at all as she continues to recover from an ankle injury she suffered in Charleston. Even if Stosur gets her big serve going on the terre battue, her poor 0-6 record against Azarenka suggests that the Aussie could be in for a long day unless Azarenka’s isn’t 100% physically. Stosur’s got an opportunity here, but if Azarenka wanted to reach her first ever semi in Paris, she couldn’t have picked a better draw herself.

Pick: Azarenka 22

Radwanska’s Section No. 3 seed Agnieszka Radwanska keeps telling us she doesn’t really like playing on clay. But her semifinal showing in Stuttgart and her run to the Brussels finals suggest otherwise. Radwanska would seem to have a tricky draw early on, especially with a potential second round match against the resurgent Venus Williams. Former French Open champions No. 26 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova and No. 13 seed Ana Ivanovic also await, but as we’ve seen from “The Ninja” all year, Radwanska has the ability to carve up power players with ease. No. 8 seed and last year’s semifinalist Marion Bartoli is Radwanska’s potential quarterfinals opponent, but Bartoli’s had a lackluster clay court season and her feud with the French Tennis Federation over not being able to play in the Olympics has been a big distraction for her. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see her lose in the first round to the qualifier she will face. That’s why No. 10 seed Angelique Kerber could be poised to go deep here. Kerber continues to surprise many with her easy power, great movement, and stellar defense. A Kerber versus Radwanska quarterfinal could be one of the best matches of the whole tournament, especially with the crafty angles both women can create on a tennis court. If Kerber maintains her belief that she belongs with the best of the WTA, than another semifinal run at a Major wouldn’t be a surprise at all.

Pick: Kerber Kvitova’s section No. 4 seed Petra Kvitova appears the most vulnerable of the top four seeds. A nagging abdominal strain that she played through in Rome with could continue to be a source of worry for her in the early rounds. No. 19 seed Jelena Jankovic might face her, but Jankovic’s form has been so awful of late, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see someone like America’s Varvara Lepchenko sneak into the fourth round or even No. 11 seed Francesca Schiavone who may be feeling the clay just in time after a horrible season so far.

has appeared to have found her Grand Slam winning form right on time with her run to the finals of Rome. Li could have her hands full early with Sorana Cirstea who reached the quarters a few years ago and then against rising American Christina McHale or No. 30 seed Mona Barthel who can hit winners from anywhere when she’s in the zone. Li leads the head to head versus Kvitova 2 to 1. If Kvitova’s game is focused, she could blast Li off of the court, but the lanky Czech appears to be in a bit of slump at the moment while Li appears to be handing the pressure of defending her biggest title with her trademark humor and that may be the edge she needs this fortnight. Is Li the darkhorse again to win in Paris?

Pick: Li

Awaiting Kvitova in the quarters could be the woman she failed to beat in the same stage of Paris last year after being up a break in the third set – Li Na. “Madame Li”, as she’s called by the umpires,

Women’s Preview

by Erik Gudris

Sharapova’s Section It’s a shame really that the two players with the best results this clay court season and picked by most people to win the title have landed in the same side of the draw. But that’s how the chips fall sometimes. For No. 2 seed Maria Sharapova, her quest to win the only Major that has alluded her is more difficult, but not impossible. Sharapova can take comfort in knowing her early rounds shouldn’t be too difficult. A slumping No. 22 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and an injured No. 16 Maria Kirilenko will likely not pose a challenge to Sharapova should they meet. But it’s No. 5 seed Serena Williams who looms in a big way in Sharapova’s draw. Williams appears fitter and more focused than ever and a run to her second French Open title looks more in her hands than in anything her opponents can do. Williams opens against French veteran Virginie Razzano and then could face No. 25 seed Julia Gorges who has tested Williams before but who isn’t as big a threat on the clay as she was last year. No. 9 seed Caroline Wozniacki could meet Williams in the fourth round. Normally playing Wozniacki on clay would seem to be a matchup most players would take. But as Wozniacki showed in Miami and Madrid, she’s got the game to make even Williams second guess herself. But if “Sunshine” can be the one to dim Williams’s French Open hopes seems like a stretch.

A Sharapova versus Williams quarterfinal would again be a must see match. But if Sharapova can figure out a way to defeat Williams will be the biggest test for the Russian and a breakthrough moment in her career. But don’t forget Williams always gets more up for playing Sharapova than anyone else. Would this match be the defacto final for some fans? Probably.

Pick: Williams Semifinals: Azarenka defeats Kerber, Williams defeats Li Finals: Williams defeats Azarenka

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Men’s Preview

26 by Chris Oddo

Gods Are Kind to Nadal; Federer and Djokovic in Same Half Again When you’ve won six French Open titles—twice without losing a set— and are considered by many to be the best clay-court player in the history of the game, you don’t need a lot of help when it comes to the draw. Such is the case for Rafael Nadal in Paris. Year after year on la Terre Battue at Roland Garros, Nadal rips into each and every opponent he faces, regardless of name, ranking or claycourt prowess. It just doesn’t matter who Nadal draws. If he is playing well, or even playing average for that matter, he’ll likely win, and convincingly at that. That said, Nadal might have ended up with the cupcake draw to end all cupcake draws this year. But before we consider the man lucky, or the draw corrupt (I’ve already seen that on Facebook), let’s keep in mind that Nadal drew John Isner in the first round last year, absorbed all of the big man’s best shots during a tense struggle that saw Nadal go to five sets for the first time in his illustrious French Open career, and still went on to take the crown. I repeat: when it comes to Nadal, all draws are cupcakes draws and all opponents, as grand as they may seem in the lead-up to playing him, end up looking like cupcakes after they play him.

Where’s Federer? As great as Federer is, the Swiss Maestro has actually ended up playing the role of a pawn in the growing rivalry between Djokovic and Nadal for the last two years at the French. And as much as Federer fans don’t like to admit it, Roger’s chances of taking out Nadal at Roland Garros stand somewhere between ridiculously slim and hopelessly doubtful, but his chances of taking out Djokovic are actually quite good. Federer proved that last year when he took out the only major roadblock standing between Nadal and a record-tying sixth French Open title. Nadal didn’t even have to lift a finger while the deal went down, and in the final he took advantage of the fact that Federer was probably spent emotionally from doing the dirty deed against Djokovic. This year, the draw gods have elected to pit Federer and Djokovic against one another in the same half once again. It’s great news for Nadal, as it places an unwanted challenge on Djokovic’s plate. But the wrench in the plans might be the fact that Tomas Berdych and Juan Martin del Potro are also in Federer’s quarter, so there’s no guarantee that Roger will be around to play a pivotal role in the final weekend. But if he is, would anybody really be surprised if he beat Djokovic again?

Djokovic’s Quarter The top seed has a pretty breezy quarter by his standards. Lurking at the bottom, as a potential quarterfinal match-up is Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Many are counting Tsonga out of this year’s even because of his willingness to admit that nobody in France has a chance to win Roland Garros, but his comments could work in favor of Tsonga, taking the pressure off him and allowing him to play with his trademark joie de vivre more than ever. Gilles Simon, Viktor Troicki, Thomaz Bellucci and Andreas Seppi are also in Djokovic’s quarter, along with Jurgen Melzer (possible third-rounder), who notched a huge upset against the Serb in 2010 in the 2010 quarterfinals.

Pick: Djokovic First-Rounder to Watch: Gilles Simon vs. Ryan Harrison These two played a spirited three-setter at Indian Wells in March. It will be tough for the young American to push Simon like that on clay, but the 20-year-old does tend to compete better against players once he’s gained some experience against them.

Federer’s Quarter People are all yelping about the potential semifinal between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, but the Swiss Maestro has a lot of real estate to conquer between now and then. A potential second-rounder with David Nalbandian could be trouble, as could a potential third-rounder with Andy Roddick (did I just say that?). But the real kicker could come in the quarterfinals where Federer could either face consensus dark horse pick Tomas Berdych or gentle giant Juan Martin del Potro.

Pick: Berdych

First-Rounder to watch: Nicolas Mahut vs. Andy Roddick It’s bound to be horrible clay-court tennis between two hardserving veterans who have seen their best days and have absolutely no chance of doing any damage at Roland Garros. Yet something tells me that this will be a highly entertaining if unconventional and perhaps sloppy match to watch.

Murray’s Quarter Opportunity is knocking here as Murray, a semifinalist last year with a relatively soft draw, will likely have a tougher go of it this year. First of all, he’s not in great form, having bowed out of all three clay-court events he entered this spring before the semis. Second of all, he’s not in perfect shape, having revealed that he’s had some back issues since last December that have hindered him. So that leaves the door open for some of the other ringers in this quarter, namely world-class dirtballer David Ferrer, upset-minded John Isner, and up-and-coming Bernard Tomic and Alexandr Dolgopolov. For French flavor, Richard Gasquet is also lurking in this section, and he’s fresh off a victory over Murray in Rome. Murray could meet Igor Andreev in the second round, Tomic in the third, and if he gets through either Tomic or Dolgopolov in the fourth.

Pick: Ferrer First-Rounder to Watch: Donald Young vs. Grigor Dimitrov Which ATP youngster is ready to step up and grab the bull by the horns? Both have the potential to turn this win into a mini-run.

Men’s Preview

28 by Chris Oddo

Nadal’s Quarter There are two ways to look at Nadal’s quarter: 1. Nadal will blow everybody away and threaten to break his own Open Era record of losing 31 or less games over the course of the event, or 2. Something strange and mysterious will happen, and suddenly we will be watching Nadal on the brink of disaster with a player like Denis Istomin (possible second-rounder) or Florian Mayer (possible third-rounder) serving for the match against him. Okay, No. 1 is the more likely scenario, but just because most consider Nadal’s draw to be of the cupcake variety doesn’t mean that he won’t be tested and end up playing some entertaining matches.

Almagro? He’s probably the next best clay-courter (along with Monaco) in this section, but he too can’t seem to visualize success against Nadal. Beyond those four names I’m at a loss. Obviously, it’s Rafa’s quarter to win or lose.

Pick: Nadal

That said, I’ve searched the 31 other names in his quarter of the draw long and hard and I’m struggling to come up with a name that could potentially take a set from the Spaniard.

First-Rounder to Watch: Juan Ignacio Chela vs. Marcos Baghdatis

Raonic? If he serves like we know he can, perhaps. Monaco? If he gets over his admiration of his good friend Nadal and really embraces the role of spoiler, and if he gets into the fourth round.

Baghdatis will be up against it on clay, but it promises to be a good tilt between well traveled veterans nonetheless.

Semifinals: Djokovic over Berdych in 5, Nadal over Ferrer in 4 Final: Nadal over Djokovic in 5

Gear Guide

Maria Sharapova

Nike Lunar Speed 3

Last year, Maria Sharapova reached the semi-finals of the French Open, making it her best singles performance in the tournament since 2007. She’s seen plenty of success on clay this season. With wins at Stuttgart adn most recently in Rome, Sharapova is primed to continue her success in Paris.

The latest Nike Lunar Speed 3 Tennis Shoes add a pop of color with Scarlet Fire accents. Nike’s Flywire construction combines with Lunarlon technology to provide a comfortable performance shoe that’s responsive and lightweight.

Nike MS Statement Dress

Head Youtek IG Instinct MP

Modern and ultra-sleek, the Maria Statement Set Dress features a smooth silhouette with subtle details like bonded insets at the bodice and paneled skirt with zig-zag stitching. The black skirt is complemented by a Cargo Khaki bodice, a combo that looks great against the red clay.

Masha’s racquet of choice offers control and stability for her powerful baseline game. Innegra technology gives the Head Youtek IG Instinct Mid Plus high durability and low vibration withour the added weight, and d3O smart material adjusts its rigidity on impact for a solid feel with every shot.

Will Serena Williams Sweep Up or Get Dusted in Paris? After taking titles in Charleston and Madrid, 2002 French Open champion Serena Williams looks poised to claim her second title on the ten year anniversary of her winning Paris. But will she prevail on what has been perceived as her least favorite surface? Serena Williams. Dirtballer. That name and that description of a player known to be only a clay court specialist would have seemed not only wrong but almost impossible to suggest a few months ago after Williams lost to Caroline Wozniacki in the quarterfinals of Miami at the Sony Ericsson Open. But when Williams entered the Family Circle Cup event back in April, mainly to get some matches under her belt after a rusty start to the year that saw her lose in the fourth round of the Australian Open, few would have predicted that not only would Williams go undefeated heading into Roland Garros with a 17-0 record that is the best single year start on clay since Justine Henin’s perfect 24-0 run to the French Open title back in 2005 but that Williams would be considered by many the overall favorite to earn her second title in Paris later this month.

Williams, despite her many off-court interests, appears more focused than ever to not only get back to No. 1 but to add another French Open title to her trophy case. And maybe that’s because Serena is out to prove a point. While displaying near impervious form in Charleston as Williams only dropped 15 games in five matches en route to taking her second Family Circle Cup title, Williams in her press conferences almost made it a point to bring up how much she loves playing on clay. But when the subject came to her only making the finals of Paris once in her career, Williams was quick to emphasize that she did win the whole thing after all.

Talk about giving oneself the perfect anniversary gift.

“I think that should count for something,” Williams gently yet firmly told the reporter who brought up the subject. “Not a lot of people can say they did that.” And when Serena was out taking the title on Madrid’s controversial blue clay a few weeks ago, she again was quick to point up her love for the surface.

Yes, it really has been ten years since Williams defeated her older sister Venus Williams in the finals to not only win her first and only French Open title but also start the “Serena Slam” that she completed by winning Melbourne in 2003. Since her title run, Paris has been considered the weakest part of Williams’s Grand Slam resume as she’s reached the semis only one other time and the quarterfinals four times, her last appearance being in 2010 when she lost to Sam Stosur. But after missing last year due to illness,

“I love clay! I grew up on this surface you know – I practically played on nothing but clay between the ages of 11 and 16. It’s true that my performances haven’t always been that impressive but I’ve still won Roland Garros and some other big tournaments on it. There is a myth that says that I don’t like clay but I actually prefer it to grass, which is strange.” Strange indeed considering Williams has won a total of five clay court singles titles in her lengthy career. But with convincing wins over Stosur and the likes of Victoria Azarenka and

Maria Sharapova over the past few months on the dirt, it’s hard not to think that the only one who can stop Serena Williams in Paris is Serena herself either due to injury or perhaps to an off day like she had in Melbourne. And perhaps in the back of Serena’s mind she knows that a second French Open title is not only closer than ever before but also that winning it would help solidify her place even more as possibly the greatest female player ever. “I just have never seen Serena play this well on clay before and I think her fitness level is higher than we have seen it,” said seven-time French Open champion and ESPN tennis analyst Chris Evert. “She’s moving better and she wants the French Open really badly. She’s talked about it all year because it is the one surface that eludes her at times. She’s brilliant on the hard court and the grass, but has not had as much success on the clay.” When asked what is it that Serena is doing better on the surface than in years past, Evert notched it up to one key factor -- movement. “I think her mobility and her court coverage has been better. She’s sliding more natural, and I think you can’t teach anybody how to slide on clay. It’s very instinctive. She just seems to be very comfortable mobility‑wise as far as the sliding and she’s attacking the ball.” But we’ve seen Serena in the past be picked as a favorite for Paris only to be surprised by an unexpected loss. Stosur, who edged out Williams in their tight three set quarterfinal in 2010, still isn’t convinced about Williams’s recent declarations of love for the dirt. But she knows that to underestimate Williams, on any surface, is always a mistake.

“Clay isn’t her favorite surface,” Stosur said after losing to Williams in Charleston. “But I think when you’re a very good tennis player like what she is you can play on any surface, and of course, there’s going to be days where you play well.” Playing well, even when’s she not feeling great on a certain day, could be the key for Williams to taking the title according to former U.S. Davis Cup captain and ESPN tennis analyst Patrick McEnroe. “I think the only really fear for her is that she has an off day, or it’s a heavy condition kind of day in Paris where it can get rainy and a little bit windy and cold; so that could be tough for her,” said McEnroe when asked about Serena’s chances. “She’s got to find a way to win those matches when she’s not going to be at her best. Obviously when she’s at her best, she’s the best player in women’s tennis. I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. So if she can somehow get through that, she’s certainly got a great chance to win it.” Whether you agree or choose to disagree with her recent statements about the surface one thing is for certain, Serena Williams has proved this clay court season, more than any other, that calling her a dirtballer actually has a ring of truth to it. For someone prepared to call the “City of Lights” her new home, Williams may be found of saying “J’aime Paris” but we will find out in two weeks time if her new favorite expression turns out to be a surprising yet appropriate “J’aime la terre battue.”

– Erik Gudris

Gear Guide

Juan Martin Del Potro Juan Martin Del Potro has seen some rocky results at the French Open- his best was in 2009 when he reached the semifinals. After undergoing wrist surgery in 2010 and sustaining a hip injury the following year, Delpo is back and in better health. He will return to the tournament hoping for his first ever French Open title.

Nike Zoom breathe 2K11 In an understated shade of Neutral Grey, the Nike Zoom Breathe 2K11â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deliver the ultimate combinations of power and speed. Equipped with Lunarlon technology and a Nike Zoom cushioning system, these shoes offer comfort and stability too.

Racquet: Wilson Juice Pro BLX

Nike Rafa French Crew

The Wilson Juice Pro BLX packs plenty of power while offering a blend of feel and stability. A redesigned handle system equipped with Amplifeel technology significantly reduces harsh vibrations and creates an pure feel.

Delpo canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be missed, sporting an eye-catching shade of Cyber. The Advantage Tread Crew features embossed graphic print on the front, and innovtive shoulder seam construction, designed to enhance range of motion and minimize irritation.

Masterful Nadal Primed for the Pinnacle in Paris Rafael Nadal’s unchallenged clay-court supremacy has been a foregone conclusion for many years among the tennis cognoscenti. So many, in fact, that it almost seems like it’s been written in stone since the beginning of time. There’s Nadal, the swashbuckling, indomitable clay-court shaman, and there are the rest of the greats—the Borgs, Vilases, and Kuertens of the world— all pining away a few rungs down the ladder. He has been labeled the King of Clay for quite some time now, so why should we assume that Rafael Nadal has anything left to prove in on the red clay in Paris? “To me he’s the greatest clay-courter ever already,” Patrick McEnroe said on an ESPN conference call earlier this week. “To me what he’s chasing is trying to chase down Roger and get into the conversation of being the greatest of all-time.”

under his tennis shoes, he’s as natural on la Terre Battue as Claude Monet or Pablo Picasso were with paintbrushes in their hands. Trace his footprints in the dirt, take a picture, frame it, and hang it in Le Louvre. Nadal is part artist, part tormentor, and shockingly good at both. His rugged sinew sculpted generously to navigate the surface’s slippery top dressing, his heart and soul blessed with the desire to unabashedly punish all who dare to compete against him on the clay. And at this year’s French Open, we’ll get to see this living, breathing phenom chase something that nobody thought would ever be possible. Nadal’s already a legend in Paris, but another French Open title will make him more than that. It will make him mythical throughout the tennis world. Beating Borg: It will take seven

But the fact remains: we live in a number-driven world. Until Nadal can surpass Björn Borg by winning his seventh French Open title, he won’t officially be the King we’ve always assumed him to be. As invincible as the Spaniard has been over the course of his clay-court career, he’s not so big or bad that he can transcend the number of French Open titles to his name. And when it comes to the numbers, one simple fact is clear: He and Borg each own six French Open titles. Until Nadal can snatch his seventh, to be fair to the legendary Swede who was feared during his heyday every bit as much as Nadal on the clay in Paris, all that king talk should be considered media-driven hyperbole rather than reality. But when and if Nadal wins his seventh French Open (more likely when) let the coronation begin. For Rafael Nadal, the only tennis player in history with a career winning percentage on clay of over .900, Paris has always been the ultimate proving ground. Born and raised with crushed red brick

In the 120-year history of the French Open, no man has managed a seventh title. Borg, the icy, iconic Swede with the rock-star looks, might have kept winning titles at Roland Garros had he not abruptly cut his career short. Tragically, he never returned to Paris after defeating Ivan Lendl in five sets in 1981 for his sixth title. But once again, the numbers don’t lie: Borg quit in his prime, and while opinions are often kinder to those who go out on top, Borg’s indifference to building his own legacy left the door open wide for Nadal to swoop in and claim the crown. “I always said that records are meant to be beat, not only in tennis but in all sports,” Borg told Christopher Clarey of The New York Times before last year’s French Open. “It would be great to see him win the sixth time or seven or eight times.” With the sixth title already under his belt, in spite of the tremendous challenge that Novak Djokovic posed to Nadal’s clay-court dominion last season, a seventh seems likely, especially

given that Nadal has shaken his slump against Djokovic in recent months, defeating the Serb twice on red clay. “I believe he has more French Opens inside of him, but now he has another difficult guy, another kind of challenge,” Borg told Clarey. “It’s not only from Roger Federer and other good players. Another guy has suddenly started to play unbelievable tennis like no one expected. But that’s great for tennis. It’s rivalries. More people at the top, that’s what everybody wants to see.”

Beating Djokovic: It will take everything The emergence of Djokovic as a viable clay-court threat to Nadal has added an element of drama to this year’s tournament. The Serb takes great pleasure in being Nadal’s kryptonite, and he’ll be seeking a milestone in Paris as well. Actually, several. Djokovic will attempt to become the eighth man in the Open Era to win the career Grand Slam and the first man to hold all four Grand Slams at the same time since Rod Laver did so in 1969. At the same time,

“I believe he has more French Opens inside of him, but now he has another difficult guy, another kind of challenge” –Björn Borg that his odds are slim. But if there is anyone with a realistic chance of keeping Nadal from becoming the top dog in the clay court pantheon, it is Djokovic. “Always when we play it is a close match and small differences,” Djokovic said, hopefully last week in Rome. Rafa’s Mentality: the difference maker With a confidence-crushing slump against Djokovic behind him, Nadal is readying to make what might be the strongest statement of his career in the upcoming weeks in Paris. Lesser players might have never recovered from the thrashings that Djokovic gave him last year, but for Nadal, his tremendous self-belief, humility and passion for competition have played as large a role in his success as have his legendary topspin groundstrokes and mind-blowing explosiveness. He’s not the type of man that would let a little adversity beat him. Quite the contrary. He’s the type of man that will let it make him better. “You just find the right point and keep working and be competitive in every tournament and work every day and accept the loss because this is the game and in this sport you always will lose,” says Nadal of his struggles. All the numbers and all the accolades aren’t what matters to Nadal. His quest is more about being the best he can be, and this refreshing outlook by one of tennis’s biggest stars is almost unheard of in this day and age.

he’ll try to become only the second man in history to defeat Nadal on a clay court three times. But Djokovic knows he’s up against one of the greats. “He is always the favorite even if I win against him seven times—he is the best player in the world on this surface,” Djokovic deadpanned after his loss to Nadal in the Rome final. It’s a tribute to Nadal that as much confidence as Djokovic gained in beating him seven consecutive times, including twice without losing a set on clay, he’s still feeling

But true it is, and it’s the foundation of Nadal’s once again flourishing game. “When you play [your] best you cannot do more,” said Nadal after hoisting his sixth Rome title earlier this week. “Passion and love for the game and love for the match and you cannot ask for more.” Nadal may not be asking for more at the moment, but don’t be surprised if he gets it on the third Sunday in Paris, in the form of his seventh French Open title. And if he does, you can call him the king.

– Chris Oddo

RACQUET Reviews Every few years (and sometimes more often) we see our favorite racquet being discontinued and replaced by something new. Despite this trend, there are some lines that continue to be modified and resurrected with each new series. We are going to cover just a few of those popular families, with some that are able to trace their lineage more than two decades in the making. As the sport continues to evolve, racquets have changed a great deal from being made of graphite and fiberglass, to frames

that include anything from nanoscopic cellulose to volcanic rock. Years of progress have created a combination of nostalgia and innovation that is clearly evident in these classic-turnedmodern racquets. Whether you are a traditionalist looking to move into the net and take advantage of court positioning, or a new-school player blasting forehands from the baseline, these racquets offer the ideal framework for current-day success.

Wilson Pro-Staff Six.One 90 BLX Pros: Great control, Solid Feel, Maneuverable Cons: 90â&#x20AC;? Head Size, Low Power Level Rundown: Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a reason Roger Feder chooses to play with the ProStaff Six.One 90. This frame offers exceptional feel with the integrated Amplifeel technology located in the handle. The open string pattern gives the user easy access to spin, while the BLX technology assists in adding feel. With a smaller head size and thinner beam, this racquet is an easy choice for advanced players who can generate their own power.

Babolat New Pure Storm Team Pros: Maneuverable, Lightweight, Access To Spin Cons: Rundown: One of the more promising transitional racquets, this frame offers outstanding maneuverability at a light weight and nice balance. Replacing the previous Carbon xTrem material, GT technology provides strength and stability. Woofer technology on the grommet sides create a more responsive feel, and ultimately increase control. Not to be slighted, this frame does well from the baseline, as well as around the net.

Dunlop Biomimetic 200G Pros: Great Control, Very Stable Cons: Lower Power Rundown: Compared to other Dunlop frames, this one surprises with a good amount of control without being too heavy. The Aeroskin texturing is in place for increased racquet head speed and maneuverability. Concentrated on precision, this frame allows for optimal control, but doesn’t pack too much of a punch. This classic leather grip is also in place for the traditional player.

Prince EXO3 Warrior 100 Pros: Good Power, Easy Access To Spin, Maneuverable Cons: Low Control, Low Feel Rundown: Designed to replace both the EXO3 Black and EXO3 White racquets in one shot, this frame combined cosmetics for a fairly simple design. The utilization of the EXO3 technology increasesthe sweet spot for solid contact. The head light balance and maneuverability is this frame’s highlight as hitting big from the baseline seems to be encouraged. With added power and decreased control, the Warrior 100 aims to please advanced players who enjoy hitting a big ball.

Yonex V Core Tour 89 Pros: Easy Acces To Spin, Great Control Cons: 89” Head Size, Low Power, Heavy Rundown: Wth such a small head size and low power level, this frame was constructed with the experienced player in mind. Micro Core technology is located at the top and sides of the racquet, which increases strength for enhanced stability. The isometric head actually offers exceptional forgiveness, which is almost a must for players nowadays. The comfortable head light balance is perfect for players who perfer to generate their own paper.

Del Potro: Moving Forward or Running in Place? Despite his “teddy bear” personality, is Juan Martin Del Potro ready to move up at this year’s French Open or he is still stuck in the glory of his great results back in 2009? Three racquets. That’s how many Juan Martin Del Potro has left (at least at the time of the writing of this piece) in his bag before he steps onto the terre battue of Roland Garros. While Del Potro was defending his title in Estoril a few weeks ago, news surfaced that Del Potro was still playing with his prized but yet discontinued Wilson frames that helped him win the 2009 U.S. Open. Although no one real reason was given as to Del Potro’s reluctance to change to a new racquet, it

marked a telltale sign of how in some ways Del Potro, and his many admirers, may be stuck in the past of hiss glorious 2009 season. Del Potro’s return to the game after wrist surgery in May of 2010 has been nothing short of inspiring. From a ranking of No. 484 in early 2011, Del Potro has launched himself, with the help of his fearsome forehand, back into the top ten along with taking four tour titles. But as Roland Garros approaches, once again Del Potro’s name is being listed as a possible darkhorse contender for the trophy by many tennis pundits who believe it’s just a matter of time before Del Potro is back into the top five or higher. But is that realistic given Del Potro’s recent lack of success against the “big three” of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal? Since coming back to full action in 2011, Del Potro is a dismal 0-8 against the top three men in ATP events. His recent string of four straight sets losses to Federer suggest that Del Potro,

though being on the rise, still isn’t quite ready to challenge the elite, especially at the Majors. To be more blunt, if Del Potro and Federer were to somehow meet in Paris this year, a repeat of their epic fiveset battle in the semis of 2009 would be highly unlikely.

Del Potro can still prove he’s top five material again with a deep run at a Major this year, but it may be time for his fans and those in the sport hoping for a new name to mention whenever the “big three” are brought up to lower their expectations just a bit.

“Del Potro has been solid, but quite frankly, he’s been maybe just a little disappointing,” said ESPN tennis analyst Patrick McEnroe. “It’s hard to say that because he’s worked his way back and he’s in the top ten. But I think a lot of us were expecting him to be right back in contention at the majors on a regular basis. Whether that’s just a testament to how good the top three are is probably more the case. But you know, I expected him to be right there knocking on the door of the top five.”

At 23, Del Potro has achieved quite a lot and still has plenty of time to add even more accomplishments to his resume. But for everyone, including Del Potro, it’s probably a good point to focus on the present and what is still possible for the soft-spoken “Tower of Tandil” and let what happened in 2009 slowly countdown into a wonderful memory.

Not that it’s easy for anyone to try and take down the likes of “Fed” or “Rafa” on the biggest stages of the sport, but Del Potro more than any other player these days appears to have been singled out as being the man most likely to break up the elite tier’s hold on the top of the ATP rankings. A lot of is due to Del Potro being the last man other than Djokovic, Federer or Nadal to win a Major and the aura that gives any player, but even with Del Potro’s return to the top ten, it might be time for many to admit that Del Potro is not the same player that he was when he knocked out Nadal and Federer back to back to win in New York. But why is that? McEnroe thinks it may have something to do with mobility and Del Potro’s “teddy bear” personality. “Del Potro, he’s a big guy and all things being equal, I will still take a guy who is 6’ 2”, 6’ 3” on a tennis court over a guy who is 6’ 9”, 6’ 10” just based on pure mobility, because tennis is a running sport and tennis is a game of changing direction. So like on a basketball court, if you take a guy who is 6’ 8” or 6’ 3” and they have similar skills, you’ll take the guy who is 6’ 8” because he can shoot over; in tennis, it’s the opposite. Also, he’s kind of a big teddy bear. Does he have the desire, the absolute intense focus that it takes? Imagine having to beat two of those guys, Nadal, Federer and Djokovic to win a major. Nobody has been able to do it, other than him, at least back when he won the U.S Open.”

One racquet at a time.

– Erik Gudris

Despite his “cuddly” personality, Del Potro is still intimidating to face, but it’s not like he’s unbeatable. He’s actually lost quite a few matches to players inside the top 40 since his return. Lately he’s prone to mental lapses and though his wrist may not be a physical issue anymore, his reluctance to part with his old racquets could be a psychological crutch, at least in Del Potro’s mind, to prevent the injury from returning. The soft-spoken Argentine has also needed time not only to deal with the highs of winning New York and the lows of not being able to defend his title there, but also with becoming a worldwide celebrity. Perhaps only now is he finally at a place mentally and physically to mount a true climb to the very top of the sport.

44 44

RANKINGS As of 05/25/2012

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Novak Djokovic Roger Federer Rafael Nadal Andy Murray Jo-Wilfried Tsonga David Ferrer Tomas Berdych Janko Tipsarevic Juan Martin Del Potro John Isner Mardy Fish Gilles Simon Nicolas Almagro Gael Monfils Juan Monaco Fernando Verdasco Feliciano Lopez Alexander Dolgopolov Kei Nishikori Stanislas Wawrinka Milos Raonic Richard Gasquet Marin Cilic Philipp Kohlschreiber Radek Stepanek

SRB SUI ESP GBR FRA ESP CZE SRB ARG USA USA FRA ESP FRA ARG ESP ESP UKR JPN SUI CAN FRA CRO GER CZE

11,200 9,430 9,105 7,500 4,930 4,460 4,410 3,090 2,970 2,725 2,660 2,545 2,255 2,210 1,925 1,810 1,760 1,745 1,735 1,505 1,495 1,465 1,415 1,370 1,340

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Victoria Azarenka Maria Sharapova Agnieszka Radwanska Petra Kvitova Serena Williams Samantha Stosur Na Li Marion Bartoli Caroline Wozniacki Angelique Kerber Vera Zvonareva Sabine Lisicki Ana Ivanovic Francesca Schiavone Andrea Petkovic Dominika Cibulkova Maria Kirilenko Daniela Hantuchova Roberta Vinci Flavia Pennetta Jelena Jankovic Lucie Safarova Sara Errani Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova Kaia Kanepi

BLR RUS POL CZE USA AUS CHN FRA DEN GER RUS GER SRB ITA GER SVK RUS SVK ITA ITA SRB CZE ITA RUS EST

9,020 8,390 7,080 6,275 5,965 5,440 4,965 4,870 4,586 3,560 3,440 3,012 2,975 2,940 2,921 2,635 2,475 2,355 2,320 2,315 2,260 2,215 2,050 2,021 1,980

Novak Djokovic gives praise after defeating Alexandr Dolgopolov in Monte Carlo. Djokovicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grandfather, Vladimir, had passed away earlier that day.

Roger Federer squats over the controversial blue clay in Madrid with his trophy in hand.

Fernando Verdasco kisses the blue clay after defeating the king of clay, Rafael Nadal. This was Nadalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only loss on clay this year.

Victoria Azarenka strikes her signature pointing pose after scoring a big point in Madrid.

Roger Federer and American movie star Will Smith chat at the award ceremony after Federer defeated Tomas Berdych in the Madrid finals.

Rafael Nadal roars in celebration of his victory in the Monte Carlo finals over Novak Djokovic.

In this picture, we see the beautiful scenic view of Monte Carlo as Andy Murray hits a backhand to Tomas Berdych. Berdych would eventually win the match 7-6(4), 2-6, 3-6.