At Roland Garros the best players in the world were asked a question – would they rather be three inches taller or have a five inch longer wingspan?
Another dud feature was asking Dimitrov which French pastry he would prefer. You could see the boredom in his face at having to waste time with such a worthless exercise.
Professional tennis players deserve much better questions. Here’s some free help… If you were here as a fan not a player who do you want to see win the title? Who wins a boxing match between Djokovic and Sinner?
Marta Kostyuk was asked in Paris whether, based on her clay-court results this season, she believes she can win Roland Garros: “In the last four Grand Slams, I lost in the first round in three of them. So I think it’s very big jumps. I try not to think about this at all. If people think I can do it, I’m capable of it – great. I’m only thinking about my first match. And then if I win my first match, or when I win my first match, I’m going to be thinking about my second match. But I’m definitely not thinking about the whole thing because it’s just too much. I think if you ask any player who is here, whether it’s No.1 in the world, No.10, No.100 – whatever – if they start this tournament thinking they can win it from the first round, it’s going to be too difficult to bear and too difficult to just play tennis. You will think about the result, you will think about the outcome, and this is not the point. The point is to enjoy.”
Who would have ever guessed Karolina Muchova would have a fan group called the Muchoheads?
Jelena Jankovic is still funny. As an analyst she shared her views on the RG draw: ”It’s impossible to say who wins the title, the tour is all over the place. Back in my day Serena and I dominated the field and won 23 Slams between us. Today, it can be anyone’s game.”
Moisé Kouamé, the youngest player in the RG draw at 17, did his first press conference as a pro and in English too. “It’s a privilege for me to be here. It’s an opportunity that not everyone has. I’m grateful to the FTF. I tried to prepare a tournament like this the best as I can in all the different aspects. Mentally, physically.” The kid faces 37 year old Marin Cilic in his Grand Slam debut.
Novak Djokovic odds to win RG are at 16-1.
Longtime Associated Press journalist Howard Fendrich has passed away. He covered 70 Grand Slams.
Jasmine Paolini will not play women’s doubles at RG. The reigning Paris doubles champion with Sara Errani previously withdrawn from doubles in Rome earlier this month due to a foot injury, ending her title defense with Errani.
Donald Young will make his TV debut and join Jan Michael Gambill as a broadcast team for Tennis Channel coverage of RG.
Crowd favorite Arthur Fils is out of RG with a hip problem.
French Open · Jelena Jankovic · Novak Djokovic · Roland Garros