Roland Garros feels like a seashore motel out of season.
It is cold, damp and blustery, and the grilles of a few of the concession stands continue to be firmly shut.
There may be simply a smattering of ‘tourists’ at some point of this rescheduled French Open. No extra than 1,000 spectators may be allowed in every day due to authorities Covid-19 regulations that the French Federation says it “deeply regrets”.
And you feel a few of the entertainers are much less than pleased the clay season will make bigger into the center of October.
“It’s a touch bit too cold,” stated the 2018 champion Simona Halep.
“The climate is so, so cold,” brought the 12-time champion Rafael Nadal. “The situations are a touch bit excessive to play an outside tournament.”
No doubt, though, that whilst the lighting fixtures pass on – and they may be needed, trust me, because the solar may be putting at approximately 7pm through the stop of the fortnight – minds may be very plenty on the job.
There is minimal prize cash of €60,000 (£54,760). That 30% first spherical boom is an strive to compensate gamers for possibilities misplaced at some stage in the pandemic.
Serena Williams nevertheless seeks that record-equalling twenty fourth Grand Slam singles title. And if Nadal wins for a thirteenth time, he’ll be a part of Roger Federer on 20 essential titles.
The Philippe Chatrier Court has room for 14,972 spectators, however after weeks of digital silence in americaA Open’s Arthur Ashe Stadium, even 1,000 fanatics will convey a few blessed relief.
With opportune timing, the court’s new roof is prepared to slip into place. At 31 metres above the clay, its metal and mild colored canvas is designed to rouse reminiscences of the biplane Roland Garros flew in World War One.
- French Open preview: Nadal, Murray, Djokovic, Williams play in Paris
- French Open: Murray v Wawrinka & Konta v Gauff on day one
Masks are everywhere. Breakfast, lunch and dinner aside, the simplest instances I am allowed to dispose of my masks is in my motel room, or withinside the BBC statement box.
And withinside the impressive and spacious new media centre, wherein social distancing isn’t always going to be an trouble this year, you could see gamers in the back of the glass of Interview Room 1 as they deal with solutions to a college of journalists, in more than one time zones, on a massive screen.
One of the burning questions has been who this autumnal French Open will healthy best? She may also now no longer experience the cold, however Halep must nevertheless be taken into consideration the favorite for the women’s title, having gained on clay in Prague and Rome in her simplest tournaments because the excursion resumed.
But what approximately the men?
“The maximum difficult situations for me ever at Roland Garros,” says Nadal.
The courts may be plenty slower than usual, and the balls a long way heavier as they accumulate moisture. The ball will consequently now no longer leap as high, and it is going to be more difficult for Nadal to observe his standard heavy pinnacle spin.
He does now no longer like the new Wilson ball, either.
“In Mallorca with heat situations, the ball changed into very slow,” he says. “I assume now no longer a excellent ball to play on clay.”
The situations may also be extra to Novak Djokovic’s liking. The international primary almost became the 2012 very last with Nadal on its head as mild rain set in.
From units and a spoil down, Djokovic gained 8 video games in a row. Nadal changed into simplest too satisfied to see the rain intensify, and the gamers requested to settle their variations the following day.
And if you are wondering, Djokovic’s thoughts appears clean of his disqualification in New York.
“I do not assume that this can have any tremendous poor effect on how I experience at the tennis court,” stated the person who gained the Italian Open on Monday.
“I’m now no longer going to be down on myself due to that. I additionally attempt to type of receive it and forgive myself for what occurred and pass on. I’m a human being. I even have flaws as everyone else.
“I’m again to normal.”
- French Open quiz: How nicely do you recognize Roland Garros?
