5 things we learned from the French Open 2017: Lesson 5

Lesson #5

The game is in flux!

Okay, so, a little contradictory? I know: I’m just after implying that the matches at this year’s French Open were more predictable than normal and I stand by it! In terms of outcome that is. As I said, it appeared that identifying which player was physically stronger often answered the question of who would win. So if we could guess the result then what do I mean by ‘the game is in flux’?

Well firstly let us think back on some of the score lines from the tournament. While it is true that the winner was often predictable the manner in which they got there was so often not. The Halep vs Svitolina encounter was always going to be a tight one. Hence, the fact Svitolina stretched her to 3 sets was pretty regular. But if anyone foresaw the demolition that would follow in the decider then I would like to congratulate you and maybe even employ you to write these for me! The momentum was so obviously with Svitolina….so how come Halep took it 6-0?? She raised her game and just went for it, that’s how. Yet, in the final the same girl was leading so comfortably but allowed the title to slip out of her grasp. Where was the Halep that seized the control then?

On the flip side, who could have predicted the return of Nadal to a version of himself that seems to be playing as fiercely as ever? Sure, Rafa is an amazing player! Therefore, the way in which he seemed to struggle over the past few years was surprising to many. Of course someone with his talent and will to win had the capacity to win another slam but, honestly, with the injuries he has had and not having won any slam since 2013: it was looking like the best was behind him. His form showed signs of improvement in late 2016 and so the comeback was not completely out of the blue. The fact he won the French Open isn’t the surprising part. It’s the way that he did it! Without dropping a set. It was just brutal to watch. The most amazing statistic is that he is actually hitting his forehand harder than he did in 2008 which is a year popularly regarded as peak Nadal. Few players’ styles gets more aggressive as they get older.

Never mind Roland Garros though. What about the state of the game as a whole? What has happened to Djokovic and Kerber? Who saw Federer’s Australian Open victory in January coming? And more importantly, who told him that the new blonde (but only subtlety) hair was a good idea?? But seriously, it looks like it’s just that kind of year. From topsy-turvy score lines and momentum shifts to coaching situations so wildly fluctuating that a blogger can’t keep up. Halep and Cahill were off, Djokovic fired everyone (then hired Agassi but we don’t know yet if it’s long term), Raonic parted company with Krajicek, Berdych left Ivanisevic while Wawrinka has added ex-Fed coach Anacone and Vandeweghe has teamed up with Pat Cash, oh and Halep/ Cahill is back on…

To summarise, nothing right now is predictable!

Well hopefully you have enjoyed our French Open reflection and agree that it has taught us quite a lot. However, it has also left us many unknowns. Unfinished story lines which will continue to unfold nicely throughout the grass court season and beyond. Can Federer make a good return on his favourite surface? Will Djokovic and Kerber turn things around? Can Rafael Nadal and Jelena Ostapenko keep it up? What about Kvitova as she continues her return or Azarenka? I would love to know your thoughts readers.

Please feel free to comment and use this page to spark discussion with like-minded tennis fans, and you never know: if anyone raises any interesting points I might even blog about it! ;)