Q&A
GAEL MONFILS
FRENCH BLISS MARIA AIMS TO EXTEND ROLAND GARROS REIGN
PARISIAN PACK: MEN WHO CAN DETHRONE RAFA
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POINTS TO PONDER IN PARIS 2015 FRENCH OPEN PREVIEW 1
CONTENTS HOW MARIA SHARAPOVA REFASHIONED HERSELF INTO ONE OF THE BEST CLAYCOURTERS IN THE GAME.
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2015 FRENCH OPEN PREVIEW
A SWING 6 ON AND A PRAYER Feature
POINTS TO 14 20 PONDER IN PARIS Feature
By Blair Henley
8 PARTY SHOTS
By Erik Gudris
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Photo Gallery
By Chris Oddo
By Christopher Levy
12 BIOFILE: GAEL MONFILS
DIRT DARK HORSES Feature
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Interview
THE FRENCH LEGION Feature
By Scoop Malinowski
By Erik Gudris
16
26 32 CONVERSION: 20 CLAY MARIA SHARAPOVA Feature
By Chris Oddo
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24 PARISIAN PACK Feature
By Nick McCarvel
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PATRICK MOURATOGLOU Interview By Richard Pagliaro
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ROLAND GARROS MEN’S DRAW PREVIEW By Richard Pagliaro
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ROLAND GARROS WOMEN’S DRAW PREVIEW By Richard Pagliaro
34 CLOSING SHOTS
Photo Gallery
By Christopher Levy
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Fairy tales often end once the keys to the kingdom are won. It’s a pity because that’s often precisely when the plot starts to percolate and characters begin to crackle. Sustaining a reign of happily ever after can be a lot more challenging than capturing the crown in the first place, which is why the 2015 Roland Garros promises plenty of intrigue and a major power struggle. Shakespeare wasn’t talking tennis when he wrote “uneasy lies the head that wears a crown” but it applies to the reigning French Open champions sporting the swoosh on their heads. Can nine-time champion Rafael Nadal, who has looked wobbled and wounded losing five matches on his best surface this season, regain his rhythm and ruthlessness and extend his reign as King of Clay? Will world No. 1 Novak Djokovic continue his winning streak, capture his first French Open title and complete the career Grand Slam? Nick McCarvel highlights the men most likely to dethrone the king. Maria Sharapova has transformed herself from a self-described “cow on ice” into a two-time Roland Garros champion who powers into Paris revitalized by her 11th clay-court title triumph in Rome. Chris Oddo examines Sharapova’s striking clay makeover.
How will world No. 1 Serena Williams withstand the pressure as she plays for her 20th career Grand Slam crown that would put her halfway to the single-season Grand Slam? We sat down with Serena’s coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, to find out.
WRITERS Erik Gudris
Blair Henley
Scoop Malinowski
Nick McCarvel
It’s been 32 years since Yannick Noah was the last Frenchman to rule Roland Garros and 15 years since Mary Pierce was the nation’s last women’s champion. Erik Gudris profiles the legion of talented young French players aiming to make their mark at their home major. Gael Monfils was born in Paris and has electrified the City of Light with pulsating Roland Garros runs. Author Scoop Malinowski caught up with Sliderman for his best memories of Paris. Grinding rallies on the crushed red brick court can test the spirit, but what role does spirituality play on the pro circuit? Blair Henley sat down with several top players who share their views on the place of faith in tennis. We hope you enjoy this French Open preview and the tournament.
Richard Pagliaro Editor Tennis Now Magazine
Chris Oddo
PHOTOGRAPHY Christopher Levy Corleve/Mark Peterson Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters Mutua Madrid Open Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Roland Garros Internazionali BNL d’Italia
CONTACT US To advertirse with us: ads@tennisnow.com General comments or questions: media@tennisnow.com
Tennis Now
1 Barker Street, Suite 612 Mount Kisco, NY 10549 914.595.4211 2015 FRENCH OPEN PREVIEW 5
ON A SWING AND A PRAYER:
FAITH’S PLACE IN TENNIS
Faith and spirituality are as diverse as forehands and backhands on the pro tour. Several top players discuss their views on faith in this Tennis Now exclusive. By Blair Henley
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2015 FRENCH OPEN PREVIEW
The annual road to Roland Garros winds its way through Europe. Before arriving in Paris for the French Open, players make a stop at the Internazionali BNL D’Italia in the holy city of Rome — less than 15 minutes from the Vatican. It was just two years ago at this event that former World No. 4 and devout Catholic Juan Martin del Potro met with fellow Argentine Pope Francis. After attending mass, del Potro had his rosary blessed by the first South American pontiff before gifting him with the racquet he used to defeat Roger Federer in the 2009 US Open final. Del Potro is far from the only athlete who looks to religion in the midst of the grueling and isolating tennis season, yet it is a topic rarely broached in the pressroom. Players are more likely to be asked about their psychological states, romantic relationships or even their fashion sense.
I DON’T PRAY TO WIN. While faith and spirituality may be sensitive subjects, they are often relevant aspects of an athlete’s preparation and perspective. Religion (or lack of it) has the potential to polarize and inspire, which only makes it a more compelling layer of the on-court persona. Serena Williams, a Jehovah’s Witness, regularly thanks God during acceptance speeches. She admits to praying “all the time” during matches, but she’s not asking for divine intervention. “I don’t pray to win,” said Williams, who also feels her spirituality has protected her from the negative side of fame and success. “I just pray to get through it and be off this court.” Her sister Venus, also a Jehovah’s Witness, sees things differently. She has never prayed during play, but joked, “maybe I should try that!” Former World No. 2 Michael Chang spoke openly about his Christian faith throughout his 15-year career. The 1989 French Open champion, now a coach to World No. 6 Kei Nishikori, prayed for a
competitive, injury-free contest before every match he played. He also made sure to publicly thank God after victories, a habit his rival Andre Agassi said “sickened” him in his 2009 autobiography Open. “Sometimes people said, ‘Michael prays and gives glory to the Lord only when he wins,’” Chang explained. “They think that I think God is on my side and not anyone else’s. Well, God is on everyone’s side. If people really understood how much God loves each one of us, then they would understand that He doesn’t think that way.” The international nature of professional tennis ensures a wide range of religious and spiritual perspectives are represented on tour. Over the past two years, Simona Halep has moved from relative obscurity to No. 2 in the world on the WTA Tour. A member of the Romanian Orthodox church, she travels with a religious icon that gives her comfort on the road. “It’s important thing for me in my life,” she said of her faith. “I believe in God. I don’t go to
the church every week because it’s not my style, but I believe in Him, and I have [icons] with me and I believe in them.” At times, players’ religious differences have transcended the sport itself, helping to promote healthy conversation and alter stereotypes. Doubles specialist Aisam-ulHaq Qureshi, a Muslim from Pakistan, broke barriers when he partnered with Rohan Bopanna, a Hindu from India. He used the largely positive response to the union as a catalyst to form his foundation Stop War, Start Tennis. In the locker room, Qureshi has encountered only encouragement and tolerance, with most players expressing respect for what he’s accomplished. “I get along well with them all,” he said. “Since I started playing tennis, I kept the religion part away from it. I’ve never tried to persuade anyone on Islam. Everyone has their own voices to believe what they want to believe in. At the end of the day, what we believe in is to be a good human being.” 2015 FRENCH OPEN PREVIEW 7
Qureshi unrolls his prayer mat from his suitcase when he’s not on a plane or on a tennis court, explaining that as the most significant pillar of Islam, prayer is a “calming” force in his life. On the other hand, the top-ranked Pakistani’s career choice does get in the way of the traditional Muslim fasting for Ramadan. “Even if I wanted to [participate in Ramadan], I don’t think I could,” Qureshi said. “Next thing you know, I’ll be fainting on the tennis court. Hopefully Allah understands that.” Current world No. 90 Malek Jaziri has had a decidedly different experience on tour due to his religious background. Hailing from Tunisia, a country with a 95 percent Muslim population, he has twice withdrawn from tournaments citing injury when it appeared certain he would have to face an Israeli Jew in the next round. Cleared by the ATP World Tour in both cases, Jaziri has declined to comment.
last year after she thanked Jesus during an on-court interview following her upset of then-worldNo. 4 Victoria Azarenka at the BNP Paribas Open. Raised in a Catholic home, the 21-year-old is now an outspoken born-again Christian.
or adornments on the court. Andy Murray points skyward after each win, while Novak Djokovic, Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki are just a few players who regularly wear crosses around their necks.
Months after del Potro’s highly publicized visit to the Vatican, the rosary Pope Francis blessed for the US Open champion was stolen along with other Similarly, pressure from Muslim personal effects as he traveled religious authorities forced by train from Paris to London. Israeli Jew Shahar Peer and Nine-time French Open The incident made international Indian Muslim Sania Mirza to end their doubles union in 2005. champion Rafael Nadal was less headlines, further confirming that inclined to discuss his religious tennis, like most individual sports, The duo was lauded when they philosophy when asked during thrives on personal narratives. ignored that criticism to renew Wimbledon in 2010. their partnership at the 2007 There will always be a place for Wimbledon Championships. “I would love to know if God tactical analysis or lighthearted exists, but it’s a very difficult thing discussion of an athlete’s latest Religion and tennis collided for me to believe,” the Spaniard tweet. But if players are game, once again when Agnieszka said. “I don’t know. It’s private why not get comfortable with all Radwanska posed nude for and I don’t want to speak about it, aspects of their stories? Dialogue ESPN The Magazine’s Body but I say, ‘If God exists, you don’t on faith and spirituality is just Issue in 2013. The Polish need [to cross yourself] or pray.’ another piece of that performance star, who proclaimed “I am not If God exists, he’s intelligent puzzle, something to be celebrated ashamed of Jesus” in a 2011 enough to do the important rather than censored. YouTube video, was promptly things, the right things.” dropped as an ambassador for Blair Henley is a freelance a Catholic youth group in her In addition to the players who tennis writer, former Tennis home country. have spoken publicly about their Now editor and frequent Tennis beliefs, there are many more Now contributor. Follow her on American Lauren Davis encountered backlash on Twitter who allude to it with their actions Twitter: @blairhenley 8
2015 FRENCH OPEN PREVIEW
“My faith is everything to me and what people say means absolutely nothing to me compared to what God thinks,” Davis said of the experience.
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PARTY SHOTS
By Christopher Levy
The stars shined at the Mutua Madrid Open player party
Champions look back before it all begins.
A scruffy Juan Monaco looked casually cool.
Wimbledon doubles champions Vasek Pospisil and Jack Sock chilled in tandem.
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After smoldering on the cover of Esquire Bulgaria, Maria Sharapova took the elegant approach in Madrid.
U.S. Open finalist Kei Nishikori faced the flashes wearing a star scarf.
Tomas Berdych and fiancée Ester Satorova were a model couple.
“I always like to feel loved. People really like me here. People support me. That’s why I look forward to coming here,” said four-time Madrid champion Rafael Nadal.
Stan was the styling man looking sharp in a suit.
Kristina Mladenovic was a presence at the party and in doubles where she reached the semifinals.
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THE GAEL BIOFILE MONFILS INTERVIEW By Scoop Malinowski
Acrobatic Frenchman Gael Monfils plays tennis more like an action hero than an ATP competitor, launching himself above the court into rare air usually only reached by acrobats and crime-fighters wearing capes. Even his nickname, “Sliderman,” suggests a super hero pedigree. Monfils was born in Paris and often plays his most inspired tennis at home creating a festive atmosphere for family, friends and fans. Three of Monfils’s five career titles have come on French soil; he is a two-time finalist at the Paris Masters. A crowd-pleasing player who sometimes seems more concerned with entertaining fans than consumed by a drive for titles, Monfils is a magical shotmaker and one of the most explosive athletes in the game. The 2008 Roland Garros semifinalist has reached the quarterfinals in four of his last six appearances in Paris and should be a threat to go deep in the draw again.
Sliderman Reveals His Best Memory of Paris and More Tennis Inspiration: “Arthur Ashe.” Childhood Heroes: “My hero was maybe Michael Jordan.” Nicknames: “La Monf. Sliderman.” Hobbies/Leisure Activities: “The NBA, watch TV and movies and music.” Favorite Movie: “Remember The Titans.” Musical Tastes: “Like 50 Cent, Ilona, Gregory Gumbs, R&B, rap, dance-soul combination.” Last Book Read: “Was The Da Vinci Code.” Favorite Meal: “Caribbean meal.” Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Lemon.” First Job: “Nothing [smiles].”
Status: World No. 15 reached successive clay-court semifinals in Monte Carlo and Bucharest this spring. Born: September 1, 1986 in Paris, France. Height: Six-foot-four. Weight: 180 pounds.
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Pre-Match Feeling: “I don’t know, nothing special.” Early Tennis Memory: “Bercy. It was my first senior tournament (2004). And it was unbelievable. And I qualified, passed one round. I played Lleyton Hewitt in front of 15,000 people. My first time in the stadium. I was 17. It was so nice. Playing in front of my family was the first time for me, so it was magic for me.”
Favorite Players To Watch: “David Nalbandian. I loved his game, how the way he play. I love to watch him play. Richard Gasquet. Same reason. I really like his game. Because he’s my friend and his game is so beautiful, so that’s why I like it. His moves, his forehand, his backhand, very good. I really like to watch him.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “I don’t know yet [smiles].” Most Painful Moment: “When I injure myself and can’t play, it’s a difficult time.” Closest Tennis Friends: “Oh yes, I like every French player, but mostly [Richard] Gasquet, [Jo-Wilfried] Tsonga, [Gilles] Simon.” Funniest Player Encountered: “I don’t know.” Toughest Competitors: “Everybody.” Favorite Vacation: “Caribbean in Guadeloupe, Martinique.” Favorite Tournaments: “I don’t know, every tournament is nice. But for me the best is Roland Garros. I like Miami too.”
Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “Maybe the [2007] Monte Carlo — against [Radek] Stepanek. Because I was injured, it was 6-0, 2-0 through two sets and I have to retire so it was very embarrassing for me. Or at Roland Garros [2005]. Because it was two sets down and I was playing bad. Very embarrassing [Monfils lost in the first round to Guillermo Canas 6-3, 6-1, 6-0].” Funny Tennis Memory: “I don’t remember. Every time is funny. Everything for me. I don’t have one.” People Qualities Most Admired: “Everybody is fine for me.” Scoop Malinowski is the author of “Facing Federer” and “Facing Hewitt.” Scoop’s latest book “Facing Nadal: Symposium of a Champion” will be available on Amazon in June.
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20 By Erik Gudris
POINTS TO PONDER IN PARIS
Organizers plan to add a retractable roof over Court Philippe Chatrier, but the project may not be completed until 2017 leaving it the only major stadium court without lights.
Spain boasts more men’s champions in the Open Era than any other country; a Spanish man has won the title 15 times in the Open Era.
French Open facts to provide perspective for the clay-court Grand Slam.
Germany’s Angelique Kerber turned around her season by claiming two clay-court titles in Charleston and Stuttgart. Her best performance in Paris was a quarterfinal showing in 2012.
Svetlana Kuznetsova upset Maria Sharapova in Madrid, reaching her biggest career final since winning the 2009 French Open title over Dinara Safina.
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA
Justine Henin, who reigned three years in a row from 2005-2007, is the last woman to successfully defend Roland Garros.
RAFAEL NADAL Martina Hingis and world No.1 partner Sania Mirza are the favorites to win doubles; Hingis won Roland Garros doubles titles in 1998 and 2000.
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Reigning champion Rafael Nadal is seeded No. 6, his lowest-ever seeding in Paris.
Petra Kvitova aims to become the first Czech woman to win the title since Hana Mandlikova in 1981.
ANDY MURRAY
Andy Murray enters Roland Garros undefeated on clay, winning his first two career titles on dirt— in Munich and Madrid—this year.
Serena Williams has won nearly every title in tennis except a mixed doubles title at both the French Open and Australian Open. She has no plans to play mixed in Paris.
Rafael Nadal enters Roland Garros without having won a European clay-court title this season—the same is true for former champion Serena Williams and 2014 finalist Simona Halep.
Roger Federer is seeded second in the draw; he was the No. 2 seed when he won his lone French Open crown in 2009.
ROGER FEDERER
The Grand Slam king says the King of Clay is still the man to beat in Paris this year. “You cannot take away the past 10 years,” Federer said after reaching the Rome final. “It’s going to be best-of-five sets. We know how tough Rafa is physically and mentally. He is the favorite still to me.”
BRYAN BROTHERS The French Open is the only Grand Slam title twins Mike and Bob Bryan have not won at least three times.
Americans Frances Tiafoe and Louisa Chirico both earned reciprocal wild cards into the main draw this year. Legendary Rod Laver remains the last Australian man to win the French Open. His defeat of fellow Aussie Ken Rosewall in the final was part of Laver’s historic 1969 Grand Slam season.
Total prize money for the 2015 Roland Garros is $29.5 million dollars.
ROBIN SODERLING Two-time finalist Robin Soderling is the only man to beat Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros; Rafa owns a 66-1 record in Paris.
Can Tomas Berdych take the next step in Paris? He reached the semifinals in 2010 and lost last year in the quarterfinals to Ernests Gulbis.
Carla Suarez Navarro is bidding to become the first Spanish woman to reach the final since Conchita Martinez was runner-up to Mary Piece in 2000.
TOMAS BERDYCH
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DIRT DARK HORSES By Chris Oddo
Residing outside the Top 10, they are the best threats to shake up Roland Garros.
NO.18
The lead-up to this year’s French Open has featured intrigue, suspense, revelations and, thanks to Novak Djokovic, domination. We know who the usual suspects are— think world No. 1 Djokovic and his quest to complete the career Grand Slam, Rafael Nadal and his chase for a 10th Roland Garros title and Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams, who are both bidding for a Roland Garros triple crown. Naturally, those four players, and a host of others from inside the Top 10, will generate huge headlines. But what about the dark horses?
NO.13
Who are the outsiders, the non Top 10 players, in prime position to be this year’s Ernests Gulbis and Garbine Muguruza? Our dark horse picks are poised to make memorable rides in Paris.
NO.11 NO.18
Svetlana Kuznetsova
The 2009 French Open champion had been virtually non-existent in 2015 until she rocked out Madrid, upsetting a bevy of stars— Ekaterina Makarova, Muguruza, Stosur, Lucie Safarova and Sharapova—en route to the final. The Russian’s success in Madrid was in stark contrast to her 6-9 start to the season, but Kuznetsova is hungry for more. “To talk here is so cheap,” Sveta said in Madrid. “It doesn’t matter. I’m just going to go out there and enjoy the French as I always do. It’s one of my favorite or my favorite tournament, so that’s it. I’m just looking forward to that.” 16 2015 FRENCH OPEN PREVIEW
Angelique Kerber
The German stormed to backto-back clay titles in Charleston and Stuttgart, before bowing to Samantha Stosur in Madrid and falling in the Rome second round. Has she peaked too early, or will Kerber relocate her game and wreak havoc in Paris? Clay is not her best surface, but the lefthander is fit to fight into the second week. The 2012 quarterfinalist reached the Roland Garros round of 16 in each of the last two years.
NO.27 “Vika will be seeded and playing under no pressure, with no points to defend.”
NO.11
NO.28
NO.13
NO.27
Victoria Azarenka
Clay-court season has been a bit of a mixed bag for Vika, but there most certainly have been signs of a revival. She defeated Venus Williams in Madrid then held three match points against Serena Williams in the round of 16 before her serve collapsed. In Rome, she got back on the horse and reached the quarters, defeating No. 5 Caroline Wozniacki before falling in straight sets to eventualchampion Sharapova. Azarenka may not be a threat to win the title, but she did reach the semifinals in her last Roland Garros appearance in 2013, pushing Sharapova to three sets. Vika will be seeded and playing under no pressure, with no points to defend.
NO.28
Gael Monfils
La Monf was so impressive at Monte-Carlo where he defeated Roger Federer and Grigor Dimitrov en route to his first career semifinal in the principality, that we started thinking that this could be the year Monfils makes a magical run in Paris. The 2008 semifinalist has reached the quarterfinals three times in his last five Paris appearances. He’s one of the most gifted tacticians on red clay. Two keys for Monfils to make a run: Avoid the headscratching decisions that often sabotage his best intentions and stay healthy.
NO.29
Fabio Fognini
The Italian may be ranked 29 in the world, but he plays like a Top 10 clay-courter who reached the 2011 French Open quarterfinals and at least the third round in each of the last five years. He’s also had some mixed results on clay in 2015, but victories over Rafael Nadal in Rio and Barcelona and a win over Grigor Dimitrov in Rome prove the unpredictable Italian can be a true dirt force when inspired.
NO.29
Nick Kyrgios
The 20-year-old Aussie made big waves in Madrid when he took down Roger Federer, but he couldn’t back it up in the next round against John Isner. Kyrgios is proving that he’s a threat on clay this year regardless of the inconsistency. He reached his first career final in Estoril, losing to Richard Gasquet. On all surfaces, Kyrgios is clearly a big-match player capable of making a run. He’s only played seven majors and already has two Grand Slam quarterfinals — on two different surfaces —to his name, could Roland Garros be his third?
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THE FRENCH LEGION:
FRESH FACES TO WATCH
A rising corps of French players aim for success in Paris. By Erik Gudris
It’s well known the French feel a certain privilege and pressure competing at their home Grand Slam. Veteran stars like Richard Gasquet, Gael Monfils, Gilles Simon, and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will again be the focus as each plays to become the first Frenchman to win the singles title since Yannick Noah back in 1983. Fifteen years have passed since France’s Mary Pierce won the Roland Garros women’s title. But several fresh faces, in both the men’s and women’s draws, could well gain attention of their own, especially if they reach the second week in Paris. 18 2015 FRENCH OPEN PREVIEW
Though once ranked inside the Top 25, Paire is now on the comeback trail after battling with recent injuries. He’s certainly a player to keep an eye on in the first week for his shotmaking and potential to pull off an unexpected upset.
Alizé Cornet found herself as French No.1 after Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli retired in 2013. Probably best known for letting her emotions spill out on court in almost every match, Cornet has earned several impressive wins. Last year, she scored three straight wins over world No. 1 Serena Williams, including at Wimbledon and earlier this month she upset No. 2 Simona Halep in Madrid. If Cornet can keep her emotions in check while feeding off the always partisan Paris crowd, she may well pull off a few more surprise wins at home. Four years ago, Andy Murray famously predicted on Twitter that now 21-year-old Caroline Garcia would be No. 1 in the
world after she held, but then lost, a sizable lead over Maria Sharapova in the second round of Roland Garros. Since then, Garcia has made steady progress and will now find herself seeded this year in Paris. She won her first singles title last year and reached two finals so far in 2015. Will she make the next step into the second week? Kristina Mladenovic is perhaps best known for her doubles success that includes two Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. But Mladenovic is also a competent singles player. Last year at Roland Garros, she upset former champion and then world No. 2 Li Na in the opening round. That result makes her a player no top seed wants to face at this year’s French Open. “Mercurial” is perhaps the best way to describe the talented yet always confounding Benoit Paire. Though he possesses one of the best backhands in the game, Paire is known for often bizarre shot selection and a temperamental attitude.
At age 26, Adrian Mannarino is finally having his time in the spotlight. After falling way outside the Top 100 due to illness and a wrist injury, Mannarino is now enjoying his best season. He reached his first ATP final in Auckland and earned his first Top 10 win over Stan Wawrinka in Miami. Having recently reached a career high ranking of No. 29, Mannarino is among a small group of Frenchmen that will be seeded in Paris this year. The left-hander from Soizy certainly has the momentum and game to reach the Roland Garros second week.
With so many French veterans on the ATP Tour, the question remains: Who will be the next great French star? The answer may be 21-year-old Lucas Pouille. The young Frenchman enjoyed success at Challenger events in 2014 culminating in his qualifying for the main draw of the Paris Indoors. There, he reached the third round with wins over Ivo Karlovic and Fabio Fognini. For his efforts, Pouille, who trains at Roland Garros, earned a wild card into this year’s main draw. Now ranked inside the Top 100, many French fans hope that Pouille has what it takes to carry the French flag on tour for many years to come.
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CLAY CONVERSION 20 2015 FRENCH OPEN PREVIEW
How Maria Sharapova refashioned herself into one of the best claycourters in the game By Chris Oddo
Unlike grass, where Maria Sharapova stormed the tennis world and won her first Grand Slam title as a 17-year-old at Wimbledon, clay has been a surface that she’s needed time to master. Oh, but has she ever. After playing her first Tour-level match on clay in 2003, Sharapova didn’t win a title on the surface until 2008. Since then, Sharapova has turned terre battue into her best surface. The Russian won her 11th claycourt crown in Rome, tying Serena Williams for the WTA lead for most clay-court titles among active players. Sharapova’s 127-25 record on the surface is the best clay-court winning percentage on the Tour. So how has the reigning Roland Garros champion transformed herself from a self-professed “cow on ice” to a dirt demon who now owns more major titles on the surface than any other?
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EXPERIENCE Success didn’t happen overnight for Sharapova, but since 2011 her clay game has really begun to soar. Collecting her third Rome title, Sharapova has now won 62 of her last 68 clay matches. “It took me years to build that confidence in my body and my legs getting stronger and recovering on the court to make it a surface that I actually loved playing on,” Sharapova said of her journey from bovine to sublime. STRENGTH, PERSISTENCE AND PLENTY OF PRACTICE Time and time again Sharapova is asked why she has become such a tour de force on clay, and time and time again she replies in the same fashion: She got stronger. “The clay was very difficult for me, because I had never had mental confidence that I was able to play a three-hour match and have the opportunity to play in semifinals or finals,” Sharapova said. “I wouldn’t say I was weak or physically weak, but I didn’t recover that well, and I wasn’t strong enough.” Improving on clay was a priority; Sharapova has worked exceedingly hard to ensure her success on the surface. “If somebody had told me that at some stage in my career I’d have more Roland Garros titles than any other Grand Slam, I’d probably go get drunk,” she said. “Or tell them to get drunk, one or the other.” Simply put: Sharapova put in countless hours on the practice court getting her feet dirty. “I feel that I worked to get to this position. There’s nothing else,” Sharapova said. “You’re not 22 2015 FRENCH OPEN PREVIEW
just born being a natural clay court player. I didn’t grow up on it; didn’t play on it. I just took it upon myself to make myself better on it. There is no one else that was going to do that for me. I had to do the work.” MOVEMENT AND PATIENCE “I improved my movement on the court, my strength, my recovery time [on clay],” Sharapova said. “That was something that I was lacking a little bit maybe six years ago. That’s for sure. But it’s also that kind of understanding that it takes many more balls, many more shots, it’s not a quick point. You just have to realize that even if it’s a three-ball, a six-ball or a ten-ball rally you’ve got to be there until it’s over and understanding that has really helped me.”
BELIEF GOING THE DISTANCE Thanks to her experience, improved strength and movement, Sharapova has become the best in gutting out tough matches on clay. She has gone 28-2 in deciders on clay since 2009 and 21-1 since 2011. And she’s done it on the game’s biggest stages, defeating Simona Halep in a wildly entertaining 2014 Roland Garros final.
“I DIDN’T GROW UP ON CLAY. I JUST TOOK IT UPON MYSELF TO MAKE MYSELF BETTER ON IT.” TECHNOLOGY Technology benefits all players, but some gain more of an advantage than the rest. The modern game has aided Sharapova’s clay transformation in one significant way. As better racquets and strings have allowed players to hit with more spin, Sharapova and her 6-foot-2 frame are better equipped than most to deal with the high bounces resulting on clay. Shoulder-high balls that trouble her opponents are actually right in Sharapova’s strike zone. The Russian can still tee off on most high balls, while her shorter opponents are forced to adjust their swings more and hit defensively. MACARONS The first thing Sharapova does when she gets to Paris is eat some macarons. “Besides Ladurée, there are a couple others I like to go to,” she said with the smile of a champion who has tasted sweet success in Paris.
2015 FRENCH OPEN PREVIEW 23
PARISIAN PACK
The Men Who Could Dethrone Nadal By Nick McCarvel
ago, Murray captured Munich and then shocked in Madrid, scoring a straight-set win in the final over (you guessed it!) Nadal, marking his first victory over the Spaniard on the surface. Andy Murray, French Open champion? Suddenly it doesn’t seem so strange.
The struggle is real… for Rafael Nadal on clay this year. Nadal, long an otherworldly figure on this surface, has proved himself a mortal being this season suffering five claycourt losses through Rome, sinking his ranking to No.7, the lowest in a decade.
THE USUAL SUSPECTS
Novak Djokovic The world No. 1 is the bookmakers’ favorite to win in Paris and complete the career Grand Slam. In years’ But with Nadal’s stock past (including an epic semi dropping, whose is on the in 2013 and last year’s final), rise? The King of Clay has Nadal has played spoiler to nine Roland Garros crowns Djokovic’s dream run. Can the to his name while the rest Serb turn the tables?He won of the collective field has their Monte-Carlo meeting in managed just one. But can they straight sets last month. collectively double that number this year? Andy Murray Someone is going into Roland We break down who could Garros undefeated on dirt. His wrestle away the Coupe des name is Andy Murray. Title-less Mousquetaires from Rafa. on clay before a few weeks 24 2015 FRENCH OPEN PREVIEW
Roger Federer Federer is the only man other than Rafa who has won this tournament, capturing it back in 2009. The Swiss maestro won his 85th ATP title on clay in Istanbul earlier this month, and has wins in the last nine months over Djokovic and Murray. Make it through the first week and mark Federer a dangerous man. Kei Nishikori Is clay the way for Kei? Never mind the bad rhyming, but the Japanese No. 1 is legitimately good on this surface, his consistency and depth fortified by a mental toughness and the belief that he is one of the best, thanks to his run to the US Open final. In his Parisian corner: Michael Chang, the 1989 champion there and a can’t-miss king in his own right.
The world No.1 is the bookmakers’ favorite to win in Paris and complete the career Grand Slam.
THE BELIEVERS
Tomas Berdych Believes he will make the quarterfinals, but can he go further? Coach Dani Vallverdu is trying to make that happen. David Ferrer Finalist in Paris in 2013, he’s the tour’s workhorse among workhorses. Grinding works best on clay, though a lack of weapons hurts him.
THE DARK HORSES
John Isner Don’t be fooled by the slow stuff: Isner’s rocket serve works on every surface. He’s one of only two players to take Nadal to five sets at Roland Garros and has said his affinity for the surface is only growing.
Feliciano Lopez The guy is at a career-best ranking at age 33, but his clay season hasn’t reflected that, as he’s slid since reaching the Quito final in February.
Grigor Dimitrov “Baby Fed” just can’t seem to graduate to full-blown this-isStan Wawrinka it status, being left behind by He had a (mostly) banner year Nishikori and Raonic. But a in 2014. Stan knocked off Nadal wave of confidence could set for the first time on clay in the him on fire. Rome quarterfinals this month. Gael Monfils Milos Raonic La Monf! Pah-ree! Gael has A foot surgery drops Raonic’s been as far as the semifinals stock for the time being, but at his home Slam (and the he’s no clay slump, having quarterfinals three more times, made the quarterfinals in Paris including last year). Utter last year and the same round at madness would ensue if this his two red dirt events in 2015. guy won the French Open.
THE DREAMERS
Jack Sock A title in Houston only furthers Sock’s self-proclaimed “love” for this surface. Nick Kyrgios Beating Federer on clay in Madrid means Kyrgios now has a combined 2-0 record against Roger and Rafa. Inside the top 32, Kyrgios will be a seed in Paris, too Dominic Thiem Kyrgios has had his already, so it seems the Austrian Thiem is due to be the next big star to have a breakout Slam result. His only career final is on the red stuff, last year in Kitzbühel. Borna Coric Imagine if/when this last group of guys makes up a good part of the game’s top 10… Nick McCarvel is a freelance tennis writer and frequent Tennis Now contributor. Follow Nick on Twitter: @NickMcCarvel
2015 FRENCH OPEN PREVIEW 25
Building Grand Slam achievement playing in a pressurized box 78 feet long can challenge even the most experienced champions. Serena Williams has played some of her most dynamic tennis after age 30. The world No. 1 credits coach Patrick Mouratoglou with an architectural assist in helping her rebuild self-belief, knock down the walls of pressure that can box her in and create a blue-print for each opponent she faces these days.
THE TENNIS NOW INTERVIEW
PATRICK MOURATOGLOU By Richard Pagliaro
Tennis Now: Patrick, what was the inspiration in creating the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Nice?
Since Williams began working with Moratoglou in 2012, she has won six of her 19 career Patrick Mouratoglou: Grand Slam titles as well as the Since 20 years, I am coaching Olympic gold medal. and running my own tennis academy. I love both. Helping The 44-year-old Frenchman Serena reach her goals and has spent years trying to win Grand Slams is incredibly build better players. Now, exciting for me, but I also he’s constructing his dream love to develop juniors and academy on the French work with my team bringing Riviera. more people to loving tennis. I came to Nice because that Construction on the was the place where all of the Mouratoglou Academy-Nice needs of that new Academy began in April. The 34-court could be fulfilled. I had the complex is scheduled to open opportunity, under the best next spring. It will feature weather conditions of France, indoor and outdoor courts, a next to a big international school, training and fitness airport, in French Riviera, the center, a pool, spa and host best part of France, to build the both elite pros and juniors. infrastructure of my dreams.
TN: What achievement or moment working with Serena gives you the greatest satisfaction?
Patrick: When I started with Serena, I thought that it was a great honor for me to work with such a champion. She already had achieved everything possible in tennis, won all four Grand Slams and reached No. 1 in the world. My action as a coach would have a meaning if I could really help her do better than in the past. I am satisfied because 2012 and 2013 were some of the best seasons of her career. She broke all her records and came back to No. 1. TN: What has been the biggest challenge working with Serena and what was the most demanding or difficult moment of the partnership? Patrick: The biggest challenge is to keep her competitive at 33 years old. She has been on tour for 17 years, so that is a real challenge. It is always difficult to work with her because the pressure is much higher than for any other player. People expect her to win all the matches she plays, and any defeat is considered as a failure. The most difficult moment is after a loss because she is very disappointed.
26 2015 FRENCH OPEN PREVIEW
TN: Why did Serena and you decide to make changes to the support team?
Concerning [hitting partner] Sascha [Bajin], it is between Serena and him. The positive thing is that we have been able Patrick: Esther [Lee], the long to maintain a good stability term physiotherapist decided to even though two long-term stop working on tour after many members of the team changed years. She felt like it was time and I am happy that it did not for her to change and come affect at all the results. back to a more “normal life.� I regret her [departure] as she TN: Serena is known as one of is a very sweet and positive the mentally strongest players person that was bringing joy to in the game. At the same time, the team. she’s admitted being very nervous at Grand Slams and returning to Indian Wells. How do you prepare your player knowing the pressure on her will always be greater than on her opponent?
Patrick: Serena is nervous because she is human. But she is also the player that deals best with pressure. She is able to lift her level like no one while playing the big matches. My role is to feel her mental state and influence it to re-equilibrate it with talking to her. That is one of the reasons why I make a speech to her to her before every match. This is a condensed version of an interview originally published on TennisNow.com. To read the complete Patrick Mouratoglou interview, please visit TennisNow.com.
2015 FRENCH OPEN PREVIEW 27
Nine-time champion Rafael Nadal casts a commanding shadow across Court Philippe Chatrier, carrying a 66-1 Roland Garros career record into Paris. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic may well have to end Nadal’s reign to realize his ultimate Grand Slam goal. The Roland Garros draw presents the prospect of a blockbuster quarterfinal between the top-seeded Djokovic and sixth-seeded Nadal. That would be a rematch of the 2014 final, which saw Nadal deny Djokovic the career Grand Slam, grinding out a 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 triumph. The King of Clay claimed his record-extending ninth Roland Garros trophy and 14th Grand Slam title. Empowered by a 22-match winning streak, Djokovic faces left-handed veteran Jarkko Nieminen in the first-round with 20th-seeded Richard Gasquet, 15th-seeded Kevin Anderson and 27th-seeded Bernard Tomic possible opponents before a quarterfinal against Nadal. Nadal says his “love of suffering” is a key to his reign. Love hurts, and he’s tasted pain at times this season suffering five losses on his favorite surface. The world No. 7 is bound to bring the passion to back up his ferocious forehand, but will it be enough to fight off a dominant Djokovic empowered by the prospect of completing a Grand Slam career quest? Nadal is 6-0 lifetime against Djokovic at Roland Garros, but the Serbian has won five of their last six meetings and is the dominant world No. 1.
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ROLAND GARROS MEN’S DRAW PREVIEW By Richard Pagliaro
THIRD QUARTERFINAL PREDICTION
SECOND QUARTERFINAL PREDICTION
FIRST QUARTERFINAL PREDICTION
(1) Novak Djokovic (6) Rafael Nadal
(3) Andy Murray (7) David Ferrer
(5) Kei Nishikori (28) Fabio Fognini
Former French Open semifinalists Tomas Berdych and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga are among the high seeds in the third quarter. The No. 4 seed Berdych meets a qualifier in round one with a potential thirdround match with theatrical Italian Fabio Fognini looming. Berdych beat Fognini in a thriller in Rome earlier this month.
Second-seeded Roger Federer launches his 62 career Grand Slam start against a qualifier. The 2009 Roland Garros champion could face Gael Monfils in a rousing round of 16 match.
U.S. Open finalist Kei Nishikori has failed to survive the second round in three of four prior appearances in Paris. But the fifth-seeded Japanese, who takes on French wild card PaulHenri Mathieu in his opener, owns the sharp baseline skills, fast feet and quick hands to make a deep run. Nishikori resides in a lefty-heavy section of the draw that also includes No. 11 seed Feliciano Lopez, No. 32 seed Fernando Verdasco, Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci and Argentina’s Federico Delbonis.
Undefeated on clay this year, Madrid champion Andy Murray will play a qualifier in his opener with a possible third-round test looming against Australian Open quarterfinalist Nick Kyrgios, whom Murray beat en route to the Melbourne final in February. Seventh-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer, who opens against Lukas Lacko, is a 2013 French Open finalist who has reached at least the quarterfinals three years running and is a solid bet to continue that trend. Ferrer leads the ATP in return games won this (8) Stan Wawrinka season (36 percent) and tops the (13) Gael Monfils Tour in first-serve return points won (37 percent).
FOURTH QUARTERFINAL PREDICTION
FIRST-ROUND MATCHES TO WATCH
(10) Grigor Dimitrov Jack Sock Their lone prior meeting went the distance in Stockholm last year. Sock won his first ATP title on red clay in Houston; Dimitrov has exited in the opening round in two of four career French Open appearances.
The 13th-seeded Frenchman, who opens against French wild card Edouard Roger-Vasselin, has beaten the Grand Slam king twice in a row on clay, in the 2014 Davis Cup final and in Monte-Carlo last month. However, Federer has dropped just one set defeating the acrobatic Frenchman in all three of their prior French Open encounters. Spain’s Guillermo Garcia-Lopez stunned Stan Wawrinka in the French Open first round last year. The pair could meet again in the third round this year with the winner advancing to a potential fourth-round match with 12thseeded Frenchman Gilles Simon.
Nicolas Almagro Alexandr Dolgopolov A three-time Roland Garros quarterfinalist, Almagro pushed world No. 1 Djokovic to three sets in Rome earlier this month.
Andreas Seppi (16) John Isner The 39th-ranked Italian upset Roger Federer at the Australian Open in January and beat Isner in their lone prior clay-court clash at the 2012 Rome event.
2015 FRENCH OPEN PREVIEW 29
ROLAND GARROS WOMEN’S DRAW PREVIEW By Richard Pagliaro
30 2015 FRENCH OPEN PREVIEW
Part-time Paris resident Serena Williams knows navigating through the terre battue can be a challenge under the best conditions. Playing for a 20th Grand Slam championship, the world No.1 faces a French Open draw that, on paper, looks as daunting as a hurdling the Arc de Triomphe. In reality, if the reigning U.S. Open and Australian Open champion works her way through the first week, she should be strengthened for another title run. Two-time champion Serena plays a qualifier in her opener. The degree of difficulty could rise dramatically in a possible thirdround clash against former No. 1 Victoria Azarenka, who held three match points over Williams in Madrid before the Belarusian’s serve completely collapsed sparking the top seed’s rally. Should Williams prevail in the rematch, she could face 15th-seeded sister Venus or compatriot Sloane Stephens in a potential all-American fourthround match.
Since storming to the Indian Wells final, Jelena Jankovic has managed to make just one quarterfinal, retiring against Stephens in Strasbourg, But if Jankovic can regain full health, defend her suspect second serve and play with positive energy rather than delve into the drama queen antics she sometimes produces under pressure, the three-time French Open semifinalist could surprise in this quarter that features fellow former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki as a possible thirdround opponent for the Serbian, former finalist Sara Errani and No. 10 seed Andrea Petkovic.
FIRST QUARTERFINAL PREDICTION
(1) Serena Williams (25) Jelena Jankovic Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova can veer from explosive to erratic, but she showed her clay-court skills beating a pair of former French Open champions — world No.1 Serena Williams and Svetlana Kuznetsova — en route to the Madrid title. The 2012 French Open semifinalist is one of the few women aside from Williams who can dictate play on both serve and return and she enjoys a favorable draw. Kuznetsova, who beat Kvitova in Paris last year, can implode under pressure, but the 2009 champion has been a fervent competitor in the City of Light reaching at least the quarters in seven of her last nine appearances. Sveta is a threat in a section of the draw that includes some talented young players in No. 6 Eugenie Bouchard, No.12 Karolina Pliskova and No. 16 Madison Keys. 2015 FRENCH OPEN PREVIEW 31
SECOND QUARTERFINAL PREDICTION
(4) Petra Kvitova (18) Svetlana Kuznetsova Simona Halep came within a set of winning Roland Garros last June, but the Indian Wells champion has not advanced to a clay-court final this season. Still, the Romanian is the class of this quarter and has reached at least the quarterfinals in four of her last five Grand Slam starts. Former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic will be pumped to recapture the magic in Paris, but could run into nemesis Caroline Garcia in a third-round rematch of their 2014 French Open firstround clash. The 31st-seeded Frenchwoman is 3-0 against Ivanovic this season.
THIRD QUARTERFINAL PREDICTION
(31) Caroline Garcia (3) Simona Halep Sharapova’s opening opponent, Kaia Kanepi, is a powerful baseliner who can be dangerous. However Sharapova swept Kanepi, 6-2, 6-3, in the 2012 Roland Garros quarterfinals and has won eight of the nine sets they’ve played. Rome runner-up Carla Suarez Navarro is a twotime French Open quarterfinalist, who has reached at least the quarters in 10 of her 11 tournaments this season.
FOURTH QUARTERFINAL PREDICTION
(2) Maria Sharapova (8) Carla Suarez Navarro 32 2015 FRENCH OPEN PREVIEW
FIRST--ROUND MATCHES TO WATCH (13) Lucie Safarova Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova The hard-hitting Pavlyuchenkova has beaten the Czech left-hander in four of their prior five meetings and is a 2011 French Open quarterfinalist. Safarova has failed to survive the second round in eight of 10 prior appearances, but her curling lefty serve is a weapon: She leads the WTA in service games won (83 percent) and break points saved (70 percent) in 2015.
(15) Venus Williams Sloane Stephens The first meeting between the Americans could be riveting. The 41st-ranked Stephens has reached the Roland Garros fourth round three times in a row; 2002 finalist Venus is 2-2 in tournament play on clay this year. Kristina Mladenovic (6) Eugenie Bouchard The powerful Frenchwoman is better known for doubles achievement, but she upset then world No. 2 Li Na in the 2014 French Open first round. Bouchard, who has been mired in a horrific sophomore slump losing seven of her last eight matches, could feel the pressure of defending her semifinal points from last year.
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2015 FRENCH OPEN PREVIEW 33
By Christopher Levy
The King of Clay faces a fight to retain his crown.
The 2008 champion eyes another deep run.
Grigor Dimitrov salivates before striking.
Reigning champion Maria Sharapova has powered into three straight French Open finals.
World No. 1 Serena Williams plays for a 20th Grand Slam title in Paris.
Nick Kyrgios showed his skills beating former champion Roger Federer in Madrid.
Prior to his April wedding, Andy Murray had never won a title on clay. Now, the newlywed has two titles and is undefeated on dirt.
Fifteen years after partnering Mary Pierce to the Roland Garros doubles title, Martina Hingis returns playing with Sania Mirza.
Stuttgart finalist Caroline Wozniacki has shown improved form on clay.
A fan favorite in Paris, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has battled injury and backhand issues this season.
46 2015 FRENCH OPEN PREVIEW