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The French Had It All
History and Redemption Marked Roland Garros

By The B Man
Outsports Tennis Correspondent

Ah, Paris. How much we miss you, already. Your beautiful clay courts at Roland Garros were the stage for terrific sport drama the past two weeks. We visited you every day to see history in the making. For the first time in tennis history, two sisters are ranked #1 and #2 in the world, and those sisters are African-American, which is another first in itself. The sisters, Venus and Serena, and tennis fans across the world will certainly always remember Paris 2002.

On the men’s side, we saw a second “old” war horse claim Grand Slam glory. Following in the footsteps of the underrated, underappreciated Thomas Johansson, Albert Costa claimed the 2002 French Open title despite being written off by nearly everyone as being a wash-up who was past his prime. Did you hear that Greg Rusedski? Did you see what happened Todd Woodbridge? Have you been paying attention Tim Henman? Leander Paes?

Many hate that men’s Grand Slam tennis has been wildly unpredictable this year—especially the New Balls folks and the ATP marketers who’ve only just begun to hawk the Old vs. New war we’ve been writing about for years now. I love the unpredictability. Greg Rusedski, Todd Woodbridge ... any of the guys I mentioned above DESERVE redemption.

There is something anticlimactic, even distasteful, in seeing an over-hyped phenom or arrogant, corporate-sponsored sonuvabitch win a big event. Why not root for the small guy? The veteran who’s been toiling for years without the comforts provided by an American Express sponsorship…the guy who, like French champ. Al Costa, will run into the stands to be with his wife and kids…the guy who rip his shirt off with pride…or sob joyfully?

Indeed, we should learn a lesson for our experience with Paris this year: Any player who plays to the fullest of their potential with focus, determination, courage, and passion can achieve their dreams, and can deservedly win a place in tennis history, and in tennis fans’ hearts. Thank you Paris for showing us this, and thank you Serena Williams and Albert Costa for being the brave heralds of this lesson.

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June 11, 2002