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The numbers don’t lie.
The French have been toast on their very own turf.
When Arthur Rinderknech misplaced to Taylor Fritz in 4 units on June 1, he was the final member of the French delegation to be ousted from Roland-Garros. Of the 55 French gamers who certified, none made it by way of to the third spherical.
You learn that proper: none. Not a single one. Zéro.
Learn additionally: Andreescu and Venus Excited for Roland-Garros Mixed Doubles Final
Each host nation needs its gamers to go so far as potential at their residence tournaments. Nationwide applications develop the athletes, manage lower-level occasions to allow them to compete and invite their very own to present them an additional enhance to assist them win and, by the identical token, thrill their fellow residents.
It’s the identical in every single place, together with right here in Canada, on the Nationwide Financial institution Open in Montréal and Toronto. So simply think about being one in every of solely 4 international locations to host a Slam. And picture having 55 of your personal within the combine!
In Paris, within the WTA occasion, there have been 10 French gamers in the primary draw and 13 within the qualifying event for a complete of 23.
Within the ATP occasion, there have been 18 French gamers in the primary draw and 14 who didn’t get by way of the qualifying rounds for a complete of 32.
Even with 32 members of the Prime 200 (13 within the WTA and 19 within the ATP), none made it previous spherical 2.
Learn additionally: French Open Firsts for Canadians
It was solely the second time since 1968 that French males’s tennis suffered such an amazing defeat. The opposite time was in 2021, so principally yesterday. Nicolas Escudé, technical director of the Fédération Française de Tennis (FFT) and former No.17, put the accountability on the gamers, whereas former FFT president Bernard Giudicelli took issues one step additional by calling all the episode a sham. In an interview with Tennis Actu, he mentioned the FFT had failed in its mission because it couldn’t hold the momentum of coaching its elite.
Anticipate some pushback from coaches and gamers, for the reason that feedback are significantly insulting to the athletes who give their all to win.
After all, the hubbub made its solution to social media, which has grow to be an outlet for sarcasm directed at French tennis. There’s some critical shade being thrown round, together with this low-key brutal meme in regards to the French men and women who made it to the third spherical:
Regardless that they’ve been floating round for some time, the jokes nonetheless completely illustrate the present mind-set of French tennis followers.
To borrow from French wine communicate, 2023 isn’t a grand cru.
Learn additionally: Dan Xu Elected to Tennis Canada’s Board of Directors
The latest shiny spots got here when Fiona Ferro discovered her solution to the quarters and Hugo Gaston to the spherical of 16 at RG 2020.
As for the final homegrown heroes to boost the winner’s trophy, you need to look again 40 years to Yannick Noah (examine that anniversary here) and 23 years to Mary Pierce in 2000.
And even then. With all due respect, Pierce was solely French by advantage of her mom’s nationality, since she was born in Montréal and grew up in the USA. She picked up a racquet for the primary time on the age of 10 in Florida and didn’t begin talking French till she was 13.
So much like Naomi Osaka and Maria Sharapova, who have been born in Japan and Russia, respectively, however began their tennis lives as younger children within the US.
Learn additionally: Forbes and Tennis
However again to the French fail.
The frustration it triggered gives a straightforward rationalization for the behaviour of the native followers within the stands on June 1 when World No.8 Taylor Fritz took on the final Frenchman standing.
No.82 Arthur Rinderknech was his nation’s solely hope. Towards all odds, he took the primary set 6-2 however couldn’t hold it going and dropped the following three 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
The frustration shortly turned to ire after which to harassment when the Californian tried to shush the gang whereas he was on serve after which once more after he’d received.
As you possibly can think about, the yelling continued in the course of the on-court interview as Grand Slam champion Marion Bartoli did her finest to ask Fritz just a few questions.
However who’s at fault? The group for getting too emotional or Fritz for rubbing salt within the wound?
Each, for my part.
Within the meantime, we will solely hope followers will discover another type of catharsis. An amazing tennis nation like France deserves higher.
Serving up tennis
Whereas we’re on the subject of French tennis, let’s revisit a brief video by Canal Plus I shared on this very weblog a yr in the past.
It’s all the time enjoyable to see the symbols of French gastronomy which might be the baguette, cheese and wine served up on the courtroom.
Milos Raonic ramps issues up
In an Instagram publish on June 2, Milos Raonic confirmed his comeback.
The picture was taken at St George’s Hill Garden Tennis Membership in Surrey, England, the place he’s been discovering his bearings on the ultrafast inexperienced courts. It was on grass, in fact, that he orchestrated his finest Slam efficiency on the Wimbledon 2016 ultimate.
Right here he’s after a session with membership member Patrick Brady.
As talked about within the Could 17 version of the weblog, with a protected rating of No.33, Raonic entered the Libema Open in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, the place he’ll probably run into Félix Auger-Aliassime.
Learn additionally: Andreescu Beats Dabrowski to Reach Roland-Garros Mixed Doubles Final
The next week, Milos will compete in his second preparatory event forward of Wimbledon on the cinch Championships on the venerable Queen’s Membership.
As for Félix (and Denis), they’ll head to the Terra Wortmann Open in Halle, Germany.
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E-mail: privard@tenniscanada.com
Twitter: @paul6rivard
Comply with all our Canadians in motion here.
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