No Justine at the champions' dinner
Despite the absence of Justine Henin, the traditional champions' dinner, held at the Pavillon d'Armenonville, was an unqualified success, with the International Tennis Federation (ITF) presenting trophies to all of the various world champions. Roger Federer and Bob and Mike Bryan certainly looked the part in their tuxedos, and women's mixed doubles legends Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur certainly turned heads in their evening gowns. Justine declined the invitation but nevertheless sent her thanks to the ITF by video. John McEnroe also received the Philippe Chatrier prize for "services to tennis".
All a fan could want on The Tennis Channel
USA's "The Tennis Channel" has been pulling out all the stops for the 2007 French Open. The channel was launched in 2003 and since then has become the main station in the USA for coverage of The French, with more than 50 hours of live matches over the first six days. Thomas Blake, brother of James, is one of the presenters.
Anger for Moya
Carlos Moya was far from pleased when his found out that the tournament's organisers had booked No.12 court for him to warm up on before his quarter-final. The former world No.1 had no desire to practise on an outside court and made straight for Philippe Chatrier, or centre court, where his opponent Rafael Nadal was knocking up. The two Spaniards, who are good friends, knocked up on the same court, though totally separately.
Rafa knocks up with the Italian stallion
Rafael Nadal has a long practice session out on Philippe Chatrier on Wednesday with young Italian player Thomas Fabianno. The two often train together, since, as the youngster himself explains, "Rafa likes playing against me as I'm a big hitter". The 18-year-old was in the junior tournament this year but lost to France's Jonathan Esseyric.
Yellow jersey for Djokovic
Novak Djokovic's dozen or so fans who have come all the way from Serbia to cheer him on have been wearing yellow t-shirts similar to what the No.6 seed wore in his quarter final wi over Igor Andreev. "It was a real surprise for me. I knew that they were up to something," said Djokovic. "Yellow is my lucky colour and I've won a fair few matches this year since I switched to the yellow top..." Whether the yellow jersey will be enough to overcome Rafael Nadal in the semis remains to be seen, however…
Noah exhibition in Paris
May 15 to June 10, the Galerie Cosmos is showing a unique exhibit entitled "Yannick Noah vu autrement" – "a different view of Yannick Noah". From 1983 up until the present day, the famous tennis photographer Gianni Ciacci has taken some 250 pictures of the French tennis star who went on to enjoy a musical career. On Friday 8 June at 5.30 pm, Noah will attend the exhibit with Ciaccia, at 56 boulevard de la Tour Maubourg, in Paris' seventh arrondissement.
