Roland Garros criticizes American Players

x.doublea · Roland Garros criticizes American Players

I'm not sure you've read this before, but here it is:

http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR...-05-12/200605121147448361807.html

Star-Spangled Banner looking ragged
By Guillaume Baraise
Friday, May 12, 2006

Roland Garros has not been a happy hunting ground for the Americans over the past few years, and there are no signs that this is likely to change in 2006, even in the women's tournament...

The 2004 tournament was a disaster of unprecedented proportions as far as the US was concerned. No player made it as far as the second week, and the last man standing - Andy Roddick - was knocked out as early as the second round. Was this just a bad year, or did it indicate a deeper problem? 12 months later, we had our answer - in a mirror image of the previous French Open, no American players got as far as the third round. A bad year had turned into the start of a dire run...

The decline of the American empire is actually less of a surprise when you bear in mind how tough Uncle Sam's representatives have had it at Roland Garros, even those who emerged victorious. The clay was a curse for the likes of Ashe, Smith, McEnroe, Connors and Sampras, with only Michael Chang and Jim Courier seeming to enjoy the surface. Even Andre Agassi had to suffer for a good number of years before finally winning in 1999.

Lacking in confidence

Agassi may well be absent this year, making an American victory even less likely - and this despite the fact that, as far as the world rankings go, the US is still a powerful nation. As of 8 May, there were four Americans in the top 25 and eight in the top 100.

Collectively, that may sound impressive, but the individual chances of the various players can only be described as slim. Andy Roddick seems to have lost all his confidence this year, and while he lacks nothing in determination, his game is simply not suited to clay - ditto Taylor Dent, Robby Ginepri and Mardy Fish, even if the latter did win on Houston's red clay. James Blake has perhaps the best technique and the necessary character, but his performances on clay have flattered to deceive up until now. His recent climb into the top 10 may help him take his game to the next level, however.

The end of an era for Venus?

Unless the men can really pull off a surprise, it will down to the women to keep the Star-Spangled Banner flying, but here again, things look bleak. 2001 winner Jennifer Capriati will be out due to injury, while her successor in 2002 Serena Williams will also be missing. Lindsay Davenport has never enjoyed playing in Paris and may well give the tournament a miss. Which leaves...

Well, it is too soon to expect Jill Craybas, Laura Granville and Ashley Harkleroad to come to the fore, so Venus Williams is the only genuine hope for the US. She beat Martina Hingis recently, but since Venus has returned to the circuit she has looked in less than prime physical condition, despite the fact that she has had more than enough time to work on her stamina.

Perhaps now is the time to go out on a limb and predict a new low for the American women. 1968 was the last time that there was no US representative in the last 16 of the women's singles. Surely this year the ladies will not plumb the same depths as the men...?

J-man

i don't think it would make a differnence of aggasi was there or not. plus like i have said in the past one of the only reasons mardy fish won the houston was because haas retired during the match

PSALT · Re: Roland Garros criticizes American Players

J-man

lol parisans

stevos14

This just proves the stereotype that french people are rude. Seriously in some matches at the FO, the crowd is horrendous. Its unbelievable.

x.doublea

Yes...I honestly think the only American they truly 'love' is Agassi....

Chelsey

I think they will learn to love James Blake as he should do real well and play some exciting tennis tennis on the red clay.

jbors47

James Blake is my hero.

Chelsey

He is an awesome player and could be the US mens #1 players very soon if Roddick continues his downward spiral.

jbors47

I dont see Roddick getting out of his downward spiral anytime soon. I mean, during his matches it sometimes seems like he has lost his heart (except during the Davis Cup). After he hits a shot he RARELY ever gets back to the middle of the court. It also. seems that he has slowed down a step. He has been a mess ever since he parted ways with Gilbert.

x.doublea

Yes, Gilbert is one of the best coaches out there, and he should have sticked with him even though he had a tough 2004 season.

jbors47

Yeah 2004 was really tough considering he won the US Open... Wink

x.doublea

They never mentioned about Spadea. I think clay is Spadea's favourite surface....

J-man

really?! i didn't think spedea liked clay. but then again he has like the worst record on the tour

x.doublea

He likes to grind and play long points, so his favourite surface is probably clay, although he's not a very good player.

dav6789

I think this article is pointless. For the women, the USA have dominated the tournament in past years. Capriati and Serena Williams both won, Venus Williams was a finalist, and Lindsay Davenport has reached the 2nd week in 8 of her 11 appearances.

For the men, the field may be a bit weaker now, but James Blake has arrived and may be a threat in the future on the clay. The men dominated the tournament in the 1990's though, with Courier winning consecutive titles, Agassi reaching many finals including that title in 1999.

There is no point in critising the American players. They have actually been more succesful in recent years than French players...

x.doublea

Yes...perhaps Roland Garros is trying to push the Americans down? That would be a bit evil....

stevos14

This might help americans. I know last year tons of expectations were on venus, and she lost 3rd round. And then at wimbledon in the early rounds all eyes were on serena and hardly any talk/show of venus. And look what happens, she wins! I think when they are in the spotlight they dont do as well these days. I understand they were in the spotlight in their prime and did amazingly, but now I think it might affect them.

Benchwarmer1

So pressure set in when the media swarmed in, but when they are alone they have a better chance of doing well

x.doublea

Perhaps it also has do with how when they were dominant, the media was like, "Will they lose?", while last year, it was more like, "What are they doing?"

Benchwarmer1

kinda like a sudden decline

J-man

I think Venus likes not being the clear favorite. No pressure for her.

Benchwarmer1

it seems easier for her to be the upset than to be one with top seed, or favorite

x.doublea

Yes, because when you're the favourite, all the pressure is on you....

Benchwarmer1

living up to the expectations is harder than upsetting

Roland Garros criticizes American Players

Re: Roland Garros criticizes American Players