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The 2020 French Open is history. We have gathered some observations from the 15 days that the main field went to work at Roland Garros.
by Jens Huiber
Last edit: Oct 12, 2020 7:57 am
© Getty Images
If the men’s final is Rafael Nadal against Novak Djokovic, it can be said that the changing of the guard that has been invoked over and over again did not occur in Paris. Dominic Thiem, the player closest to the two best players in the world, won the US Open. But Nadal was also the first opponent to beat Djokovic in sporting fashion this year. The closest thing to winning a set against the 13-time champion was Jannik Sinner.
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If the memories are not misleading, then this year Rafa made a debut in terms of jubilation. In his past victories, the Spaniard liked to conjure snow angels in the Parisian arena, this time he knelt like the great Björn Borg did.
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A special compliment to Andrey Rublev and Stefanos Tsitsipas: first of all, for giving everything in Hamburg to the end. Then from the fact that they broke through in the first round at Roland Garros after a 2-0 set deficit (Sam Querrey even played Rublev in the match). While the devil of the draw was playing, there was a reunion in the quarterfinals. The path of one of the two inevitably had to come to an end.
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Jürgen Melzer remains the only player who managed to beat Novak Djokovic in a Grand Slam tournament after a 2-0 set deficit – it happened in 2010 at Roland Garros. Stefanos Tsitsipas at least gave it a try in the semi-finals, but had no chance against the industry leader in the decision. Like 214 other opponents Djokovic won the first set against in Grand Slam tournaments.
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The three-quarter pants celebrated a brilliant comeback at the latest edition of the French Open. In different versions: the single winner Iga Swiatek has been consistently shown in white, the double winner Timea Babos mixes orange with white.
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Simona Halep’s appearances at Roland Garros in 2019 and 2020 are somewhat disconcerting, especially as she was a clear favorite in Paris both times. But neither against Amanda Anisimova almost 16 months ago nor against Iga Swiatek a few days ago, Halep had the slightest chance when she was eliminated.
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That both victorious duos (Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies or Timea Babos and Kristina Mladenovic) entered the race as defending champions, this coincidence did not yet exist at the French Open in the Open Era. Before Krawietz / Mies, Daniel Nestor and Max Mirnyi (2011/2012) were able to successfully defend their title. In the case of women, they were Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascal. At Wimbledon, on the other hand, there were the same winners for men and women around 2008 and 2009: Daniel Nestor with Nenad Zimjonic and Serena and Venus Williams. The double winners at Wimbledon between 1984 and 1984 were always: Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver or John McEnroe and Peter Fleming.
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The well-known resident critics of the Stade Roland Garros have had their first experiences with illuminated games. However, without the crowds, which under normal circumstances would have watched the games late into the night. But perhaps tournament boss Guy Forget, who is already planning evening sessions for the Philippe-Chatrier court, has gotten along well with those who have resisted night tennis for years.
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As a side note: Of course, it couldn’t be counted manually, but apparently the final between Nadal and Djokovic was attended by more than 1,000 spectators.
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Been a long time with the roof over the chatrier. And it has never been more important than in a year he played well into October. At least for the safety of planning TV stations. Of course, there is no doubt that a single covered court in the first week of a Major cannot be sufficient to bring the first round matches to the stage in the event of continued rain.
