In the weeks prior to a grand slam, the press does a fascinating job figuring out what the top contenders expect. From weather conditions to who they fear, journalists ask about everything. However, the current favorites, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, have all seemed to dissolve any form of potential pressure to win the French crown.
Federer is the revered hero of tennis and last fellow to win in Paris other than reigning champ Rafa. Nadal is vying for his record-setting 7th French Open, which would edge him in front of the legendary Bjorn Borg. World #1, Djokovic, is trying to become the first man since Rocket Rod Laver to hold all four grand slams at one time. However, he has yet to make an appearance in a Roland Garros final and claims to "approach this tournament this year as any other." But it's not any other year and such an opportunity is not one to come along often.
Each of these men has refused to admit his own fervor to win this year's French Open. Roger claims to be the third favorite. "It would be Rafa, Novak and then me in third position" he noted during a pre-tournament conference in Paris. Nadal, however, expects Djokovic to come out swinging, paralleling his opportunity at last year's Australian Open. "When I went to Australia in 2011, I could win four in a row. I felt zero extra pressure to win that." Rafa didn't win that.
Are these champions merely attempting to down play the historical nature of this year's French Open? Or does each really expect one of the others to be victorious?
Regardless, the top three seeds, along with Andy Murray rounding out the quartet, who have more or less featured in every semifinal match since 2008, are the ones to watch. However, none of them played on the opening day of 2012's Roland Garros. Instead, we saw a host of former world #1s and grand slam champions take to the courts, including Juan Carlos Ferrero, Andy Roddick and Juan Martin Del Potro. Tune in tomorrow, though, to see the effective commencement of the tournament. While the draw is heavily salted with former ranking toppers and champs, the realistic contenders are on deck at the top.
