What a lovely scene-setting piece for RG 2026 that in words beautifully sets the scene, the people and personalities so similar to what William Klein did with “The French” in 1982.
Your access to the great, the good and the hopes and dreams of top stars - and the up and comings of the challenging youth - not to mention the workings of a major sporting event is joy that offers up a tapestry of personalities that captures what is ineffably beautiful, edgy and special about tennis, at a time when it was as popular now as it had ever been; oh yes and then there are the pictures.
As I think they say down the Avenue Gordon Bennet, "c'est tout simplement unique".
It’s hard not to root for the “wolf” with his many esoteric interests that contrast so vividly with his Serbian nationalism. He’s become more fascinating as he’s gotten older. I think he could outwit anyone on the right night to win again but possibly his body won’t hold up. As the end approaches each match feels like a last stand. It’s elegiac. One thing for sure; he was born for the stage of tennis. It’s impossible not to watch him now.
Agreed on the fascination factor. His enduring passion and restless spirit are in the mix, but so are his tactical prowess and new vulnerability. Bring on as many right nights as he can muster
Chris: welcome back. What’s your take on the effect of three out of five on Novak chances? Physically it challenges him. But mentally it favors him. Certainly against anyone else besides sinner. They’re the only two people in the field who have have won on this scale.
He got the walkover from Mensik and the retirement from Musetti in Australia and still ran out of fuel. But this time he would not have to face Sinner AND Alcaraz. So I think three out of five hurts him ultimately over the long haul of a major, particularly with the hot conditions in week one this time. But you can't ever rule him out. Greatness often finds a way, and he's the only former French Open men's champ left
Chris, quite reasonably as usual, you were cautiously circumspect in your outlook for Djokovic's chances in Paris. I will not be so reasonable and will ask, "What if?" What if the Djoker, this sly old dog who can never be counted out, wins both Paris AND Wimbledon for a total of 26 majors?!! The conventional piety among my more knowledgeable tennis friends was that Novak would pull out of Paris citing injury to go practice on grass for the Wimbledon that is his best shot for another major. Of course he could still do that or even just tank to get out of jail in France. But you know me, I'm an impractical fool and a dreamer, and I'm praying to all my pre-Islamic 350 idols that Novak will win all the marbles in both France and England.
As a journalist I cheer for the story, not the man, and THAT would be the story with twin victories overr Sinner in the final: revenge for Ken Rosewall in 1974 against Connors (I know you're with me on that reference)
Good piece (although rooting for Novak always reminds me of Mick Jagger singing "Sympathy for the Devil"). Suggestion: A better shorthand for Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard might be his nickname, Gio.
Delighted to hear from you here. That would have indeed been better shorthand. That's the French chant for him after all. But then, You Can't Always Get What you Want.
So glad to have Chris at Roland Garros for the duration! Novak did not look like a possible winner but then again, a lot of good players have looked a bit shaky in their opening matches (Fritz) these last two days. (Will also be interesting to see how players deal with real, breathing, fallible lines people after so many tournaments of electronic line calling - expecting some real temper tantrums). The Americans often seem tentative on clay and it was good to see Tien and Navarro win and Paul at least final in the pregames...Now, if Chris can get those French enfants who are constantly doing the ba-ba-ba...baba---du-du-du chant sent back to school we will all be appreciative....(also I worry about Michael Chang's kid - the young boy is touring the world with Tien and Dad and I hope getting some math and cursive on the side....)
Great to see you in Savannah. Thanks for your support of the book and all of those years saving me from myself at the Times. Your eye for a story remains impeccable. Fallible linespeople et al.
What a lovely scene-setting piece for RG 2026 that in words beautifully sets the scene, the people and personalities so similar to what William Klein did with “The French” in 1982.
Your access to the great, the good and the hopes and dreams of top stars - and the up and comings of the challenging youth - not to mention the workings of a major sporting event is joy that offers up a tapestry of personalities that captures what is ineffably beautiful, edgy and special about tennis, at a time when it was as popular now as it had ever been; oh yes and then there are the pictures.
As I think they say down the Avenue Gordon Bennet, "c'est tout simplement unique".
Merci Trevor. Big fan of The French and what access he had!
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/23/sports/tennis/the-french-william-klein-geraldine-mailett-films-three-decades-apart.html
Thanks for being here
CC
Eagerly awaiting the daily updates; news, views & pics.
Trevor.
It’s hard not to root for the “wolf” with his many esoteric interests that contrast so vividly with his Serbian nationalism. He’s become more fascinating as he’s gotten older. I think he could outwit anyone on the right night to win again but possibly his body won’t hold up. As the end approaches each match feels like a last stand. It’s elegiac. One thing for sure; he was born for the stage of tennis. It’s impossible not to watch him now.
Hi Lisa
Agreed on the fascination factor. His enduring passion and restless spirit are in the mix, but so are his tactical prowess and new vulnerability. Bring on as many right nights as he can muster
CC
Chris: welcome back. What’s your take on the effect of three out of five on Novak chances? Physically it challenges him. But mentally it favors him. Certainly against anyone else besides sinner. They’re the only two people in the field who have have won on this scale.
Hi David
He got the walkover from Mensik and the retirement from Musetti in Australia and still ran out of fuel. But this time he would not have to face Sinner AND Alcaraz. So I think three out of five hurts him ultimately over the long haul of a major, particularly with the hot conditions in week one this time. But you can't ever rule him out. Greatness often finds a way, and he's the only former French Open men's champ left
CC
Chris, quite reasonably as usual, you were cautiously circumspect in your outlook for Djokovic's chances in Paris. I will not be so reasonable and will ask, "What if?" What if the Djoker, this sly old dog who can never be counted out, wins both Paris AND Wimbledon for a total of 26 majors?!! The conventional piety among my more knowledgeable tennis friends was that Novak would pull out of Paris citing injury to go practice on grass for the Wimbledon that is his best shot for another major. Of course he could still do that or even just tank to get out of jail in France. But you know me, I'm an impractical fool and a dreamer, and I'm praying to all my pre-Islamic 350 idols that Novak will win all the marbles in both France and England.
As a journalist I cheer for the story, not the man, and THAT would be the story with twin victories overr Sinner in the final: revenge for Ken Rosewall in 1974 against Connors (I know you're with me on that reference)
CC
Got it, understood. And yep, I sure am with you on THAT reference!
Good piece (although rooting for Novak always reminds me of Mick Jagger singing "Sympathy for the Devil"). Suggestion: A better shorthand for Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard might be his nickname, Gio.
Hi Jim
Delighted to hear from you here. That would have indeed been better shorthand. That's the French chant for him after all. But then, You Can't Always Get What you Want.
CC
So glad to have Chris at Roland Garros for the duration! Novak did not look like a possible winner but then again, a lot of good players have looked a bit shaky in their opening matches (Fritz) these last two days. (Will also be interesting to see how players deal with real, breathing, fallible lines people after so many tournaments of electronic line calling - expecting some real temper tantrums). The Americans often seem tentative on clay and it was good to see Tien and Navarro win and Paul at least final in the pregames...Now, if Chris can get those French enfants who are constantly doing the ba-ba-ba...baba---du-du-du chant sent back to school we will all be appreciative....(also I worry about Michael Chang's kid - the young boy is touring the world with Tien and Dad and I hope getting some math and cursive on the side....)
Hi Kristin
Great to see you in Savannah. Thanks for your support of the book and all of those years saving me from myself at the Times. Your eye for a story remains impeccable. Fallible linespeople et al.
Merci
CC
I will be following it and you!
Thank you Chris! As always great reporting!!! R. G. so exciting!
Delighted to be back Ulla. So many years. A true rite of spring
CC