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Roland Garros feels like an off-season seaside resort.
It’s cold, wet, and stormy, and the gates at many of the concession stands remain firmly closed.
There will be only a handful of “tourists” throughout this rescheduled French Open. No more than 1,000 viewers per day will be allowed. due to Covid-19 government restrictions which the French Federation says it “deeply regrets”.
And you feel like some of the entertainers are less than thrilled that the clay season will extend into mid-October.
“It’s a bit cold,” said 2018 champion Simona Halep.
“The weather is so, so cold” added 12-time champion Rafael Nadal. “The conditions are a bit extreme to play an outdoor tournament.”
However, there is no question that when the lights come on, and believe me, the sun will set around 7pm at the end of the fortnight, minds will be very focused.
There is a minimum prize money of € 60,000 (£ 54,760). That 30% increase in the first round is an attempt to compensate players for lost opportunities during the pandemic.
Serena Williams is still pursuing that record of 24 Grand Slam titles in singles. And if Nadal wins for the 13th time, she will join Roger Federer in 20 major titles.
The Philippe Chatrier Court has room for 14,972 spectators, but after two weeks of virtual silence at the US Open’s Arthur Ashe Stadium, even 1,000 fans will bring blessed relief.
In good time, the new court roof is ready to slide into place. Standing 31 meters above the clay, its light-colored, steel canvas is designed to evoke memories of the biplane that flew Roland Garros in World War I.
Masks are everywhere. Breakfast, lunch and dinner aside, the only times I can remove my mask is in my hotel room or in the BBC comment box.
And in the impressive and spacious new media center, where social distancing won’t be an issue this year, you can watch the players behind the glass of Interview Room 1 as they respond to a collage of journalists, across multiple time zones, on a big screen.
One of the burning questions has been who will this fall French Open best suit? She may not like the cold, but Halep should still be considered the favorite for the women’s title, having won on clay in Prague Y Rome in their only two tournaments since touring resumed.
But what about men?
“The most difficult conditions for me at Roland Garros,” says Nadal.
The courts will be much slower than usual and the balls will be much heavier as they collect moisture. Therefore, the ball will not bounce as high, and Nadal will find it more difficult to apply his usual spin on top.
He also doesn’t like the new Wilson ball.
“In Mallorca with warm conditions, the ball was very slow,” he says. “I don’t think it’s a good ball to play on clay.”
Conditions may be more to Novak Djokovic’s liking. The world’s number one was about to convert End of 2012 with Nadal on his head like light rain.
Out of two sets and a break, Djokovic won eight straight games. Nadal was very happy to see the rain intensify, and the players asked to resolve their differences the next day.
And in case you were wondering, Djokovic’s mind seems clear of his disqualification in New York.
“I don’t think this has a significant negative impact on how I feel on the tennis court,” said the man who won the Italian Open Monday.
“I’m not going to get discouraged by that. I also try to accept it and forgive myself for what happened and move on. I am a human being. I have flaws like everyone else.”
“I am back to normal.”
