Roddick playing - and paying - the green stuff
Andy Roddick has started his grass-court preparation at the Surbiton Challenger. Playing doubles with Robby Ginepri, he was beaten yesterday by Chris Guccione and Nathan Healey. An enraged Roddick then took off in a private limousine, avoiding the compulsory media conference which could lead to a hefty fine from the ATP.
Gottfried worried by too much power
1977 Roland Garros runner-up Brian Gottfried is impressed by the power of today’s players. “I have watched some singles and doubles matches this week and I must admit it’s hard to believe how hard the ball is being hit now," he smiled. "I don’t think we ever came close to hitting as hard. It’s become a different game, and because of that, everybody plays kind of similar. In one respect, it’s incredible talent, pace and skills, to be able to hit that hard, but in another sense, the game has become very one-dimensional. Of course you have the Federers, Henmans and Mirnyis, but they are not many.”
A Stich in time for Roger…
Michael Stich, who was the beaten finalist here 11 years ago, believes that Federer will have to be at his creative best and use every shot in his armour if he is to win at Roland Garros. "Roger is capable of winning here but he needs to use all of his shots," said the German who is playing here in the Legends Trophy. "He mustn't get stuck in a rut like he did in the second set against Robredo. Attackers should never be reticent on clay. If Roger gets to face Nadal in the final, he'll have to be creative and keep him guessing all the time. He'll have to attack him. Federer has the skills to do it – it depends on whether he can use those skills."
Costa: "Nadal is calmer"
After his defeat at the hands of Roger Federer in the Hamburg final, Rafael Nadal managed to clear his head and recharge his batteries before coming to Paris. "He was so mentally exhausted that we really had to do something," explained Carlos Costa, his agent. "We've really cut back on the interviews he's been giving at Roland Garros which has enabled him to concentrate 100% on his game. I think he's a lot calmer than last year. Let's not forget that in 2006, he was defending his title for the first time. It was totally new for him and he was under greater pressure. He's handling things a lot better this year."
Ana’s pool party
2007 Roland Garros finalist Ana Ivanovic has revealed that she learnt her tennis skills in a swimming pool (without water, naturally). "I grew up playing in a swimming pool. It's a club where they had an olympic-sized swimming pool, and it was very expensive to heat it during the winter, and there was not many people using it. So they emptied the swimming pool, and they put carpet inside, it's true.! They put two tennis courts and that's where I grew up practising,’ the 19-year-old Serbian said. ‘And it was impossible to play crosscourt, because it was inches from the wall. So we had to keep playing down the lines. And that was the courts we had during the winter. In the summer was better situation, we had a lot of other clay courts, but still, these days we have maybe one or two hard courts outdoor."
Tribute to Gilberte Henry
French TV paid tribute to Gilberte Henry, who is the oldest former French Open player still alive. Madame Henry, who celebrated her 100th birthday a week ago, was back at Roland Garros on Thursday for ladies' day for the first time in 17 years. In her prime, she played alongside the legendary "Musketeers" as the top French players were known, with Henri Cochet being a close friend.
