Welcome to the 2010 French Open. As we Michiganders are slowly defrosting and creeping outside to assess how bad our ground strokes have become after a stagnant winter, tennis pros from around the globe are peaking in conditioning and training in anticipation of the upcoming Slams. The fun begins on the clay of Roland Garros on the most equalizing and humbling of the Slam surfaces — surface that kept former great Pete Sampras from bringing his rich Grand Slam legacy full circle and almost broke Rodger Federer's sanity.
Men's Draw
While there is little doubt who the favorites are, the results at this year's tournament have the potential to answer a lot of questions:
1. Was last year a fluke for Roger Federer or Robin Soderling?
2. Even on clay, can Rafael Nadal's knee's handle five sets (if someone does take him that far)?
3. Will Roger ever beat Nadal at Roland Garros?
4. Can anyone make the French a three horse race? (Soderling was more of a spoiler than a threat last year in the final)
5. Who will give the tournament the magically insane trick shots offered up by the Frenchman Fabrice Santoro in the wake of his retirement from the pro tour?
The only thing about the French Open this year not worth questioning is that the American men will breath a sigh of relief when their off the clay and on the soft grass for the Wimbledon warm-up events.
Women's Draw
While the men's game is currently locked in a prolonged two-man struggle pitting Great vs. Great, the women's game offers a decidedly different world view. The old guard on the female side (Henin and the Williams sisters) is constantly being tested and defeated by internal and external forces — retirement, side projects, health, family and motivational issues, along with an up-and-coming cast of well-trained, talented, and hungry players willing and able to dethrone the elites.
Questions for the Women's Draw
1. Will the three elites be able to keep their composure this year on the clay?
2. Out of the three elites, who is the best on clay?
3. Will Henin join the ranks of the more notable French Open champions of the past (like Steffi Graff, six titles, or Chris Evert, seven titles)?
4. Is the French a good barometer of success for the rest of the year?
5. Will a new grand slam winner be crowned on Court Phillippe Chatrier, and if she is, will she become anything more than a one-slam wonder?
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