The weather has been the players’ biggest challenger rather than their opponent at the French Open this year!
With play on Monday being completely washed out, and Novak just being able to get two and a half sets in on Tuesday, it was imperative he finished his fourth round match in four sets on Wednesday – otherwise it would have been a longer day – and that he spent as little time as possible on court on Thursday too. Which he did, with a straight-sets win over Tomas Berdych in the quarter finals.
Considering the fact that everybody in the top half has to pretty much play day after day it was important to win the matches as quickly as possible to get as much recovery time as possible.
It can be trying with all the rain delays but Novak has been in situations like this before.
It’s not the first time it has rained in Paris, it won’t be the last and it’s something that he, and everyone else, has to deal with. Novak has a very good support staff, and having his family here helps him relax and keep his head in the game.
There have been a lot of calls for a roof and lights at the French Open. This is actually an important point: all the other Grand Slams have stepped up their game in terms of improving the facilities for the players, and for the fans. If you have a roof or two and facilities are more up to date, the players are happy, the television people are happy, the sponsors are happy. Everybody wins.
It is unfortunate that Roland Garros hasn’t done this yet. However, what I hear is that they are in a very delicate part of Paris where the neighbours also have a say in what changes can be made at Roland Garros. It’s not a decision that can be made solely by the federation and I think they are looking for approval from the city.
Despite the rain, the tournament as a whole is shaping up pretty well. By the time you read this, the semi-final lineups will be complete. The top guns on both sides are still in control, for the moment, with Serena and Novak both looking good. The women’s side, though, really needs a challenger for Serena. Whenever you think one is making the breakthrough, she loses the next couple of tournaments. A case in point is Kerber: ever since Australia, she hasn’t been doing great. Of the players that are left, I think Muguruza looks the best, but I still think the women’s side is wide open. (Gameplan)
