Date:25/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/25/stories/2008052555182000.htm

Sport - Tennis

Lot of flux, leading upto Roland Garros

— PHOTO: AP

Maria Sharapova.

PARIS: Everything about tennis is topsy-turvy heading into Roland Garros.

Roger Federer is off to his worst start to a season since 2001. Nadal, meanwhile, recently lost a match on clay — for only the second time in three years.

Justine Henin, like Nadal the three-time reigning champion in Paris, suddenly retired this month at the age of 25, the first woman to walk away from the sport while ranked No. 1.

There’s more: New No. 1 Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams also pulled out of recent matches because of injuries; high-profile players are openly complaining about tour calendars and commitments; Andy Roddick, the highest-ranked American man, is sidelined by a bum shoulder; and the subject of gambling won’t go away.

It’s enough to make one wonder which way is up as the tennis world gathers at Roland Garros for the season’s second Grand Slam tournament, which begins on Sunday.

Each of the past six years, Federer arrived at Roland Garros with at least two — and as many as six — tournament titles to his credit.

And in 2008? He is 26-7 with only one title.

Federer gives off nothing but optimism, however. “I’m feeling where I want to be shortly before a really important stretch of tournaments,” he said on Friday. “And it starts here in Paris, so I feel good about my chances again.”

Nadal will attempt to become only the second man in history to win Roland Garrosfour years in a row, joining Bjorn Borg.

“He’s very superior on this surface,” said Djokovic. “His main advantage here is his physical strength and his power and ability to get all the balls back.”

Understandable

“Am I surprised? Maybe a little bit,” Sharapova said of Henin’s decision. “But ... if I were 25 and I’ve achieved the things that she’s achieved, I feel like there’s a lot more to life to explore.”

Henin’s absence gives more hope to someone such as Sharapova or Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic, attempting to claim a first Major championship. — AP