Snowdog, as a rule, it is not allowed to play with broken strings. As such, if the chair umpire notices that a player’s strings are broken, he/she must suspend play until the player in question changes rackets. But even if such a rule did not exist, why would the referee be out of order? Do you think it is fair for a player to play with such a disadvantage?
Younger gen not ready for prime time yet and middle generation doesn’t have the chops to get the job done.
Good job by VB today taking out the trash.
Alexandre - I did not know the umpire must stop play if he/she notices that. Don’t think the announcers did either - they seemed quite surprised by the incident. I would have thought it was up to the player to notice a string was broken. If Kei’s shoe was untied, would it be incumbent on the umpire to stop play and warn him, to keep play fair? Not trying to be snarky, just wondering -
There is no rule regarding untied shoe laces, but there is a rule regarding broken strings. Had the chair umpire not noticed, and play had gone on, it would have been fine. But since the chair umpire noticed, he had to stop Novak and request him to change rackets.
The French Open should be interesting. No player has dominated the clay season. Nadal, Djokovic and Murray each made it to two of the three Clay masters 1000 events’ finals, and won one of the three. They are the favorites, but all of them have looked vulnerable at times. The draw could play a significant role.
Roger has pulled out of RG citing fitness. 
^ Just saw that. Bummer…daughter is in Paris for the semester and will attend RG for a day next week, was hoping ot see Roger in action.
So bummed!!!
Better not risk getting hurt. It will also give him more time to prepare for Wimbledon. It will be interesting to see what this will do to the draw. As a #5 seed, Nadal was most likely going to play Djokovic or Murray in the QF. Now that he will be the fourth seed, chances are, he will end up playing Djokovic or Murray in the SF.
I’m sure its so he can be completely healed for the grass. It’s not like he had any chance to win RG so best to skip it and rest his back.
Monfils has withdrawn, too. Shame as his matches are always so entertaining-- especially at RG.
Draw is up - thoughts??
Haven’t looked yet. I’m still watching the qualies but they did mention the draw. Djoker/Rafa in same half and that Djoker has Berdy in his quarter which looks to me like a walking bye. Murray has Kei In his quarter, iirc. Much tougher match. I think Stan has The Robot. Prediction Djoker/Murray final. really going out on a limb here and VB for the win. I think the pressure on Djoker to win RG is going to trip him up.
Serena has Vika but she’ll likely lose before the quarters given her back issues and the fact it’s going to be cold and damp the first week. Can’t remember the rest they mentioned but whoever has Aga has a good draw! Except for Serena it’s impossible to know who is going to make it through the draw as WTA is a hawt mess. But, I give 50-50 chance to whoever gets there as Serena losing in semi’s and finals recently is a bad sign for her. Use to be you could get her in an early round but once she got to business end of tourney’s she was practically unbeatable. Pressure to get to 22 is going to weigh on her too.
Assuming there are no major upsets, the final 16 should look something like this:
TOP HALF
Djokovic vs Bautista Agut
Ferrer and Berdych
Nadal vs Thiem
Goffin vs Tsonga
BOTTOM HALF
Raonic vs Cilic
Wawrinka vs Simon
Nishikori vs Gasquet
Murray vs Isner
Isner is not making the Rd of 16. I’ll be surprised if he gets out of the first Rd and I have no idea who he is even playing.
Ferrer is having an awful year. I’d be shocked if he made it that far. I’d also be surprised if Richard got that far - his RG results have been pretty poor.
I am in agreement with Alexandre on the top half just because of the way the draw looks. Maybe Lopez instead of Ferrer…
BOTTOM HALF
Raonic vs Sock
Wawrinka vs Simon
Nishikori vs Krygios
Murray vs Paire
I like to compare JW’s picks at end of tourney to see how badly he’s done. He’s know to be the kiss if death.
http://www.si.com/tennis/2016/05/20/french-open-2016-mens-seed-report
http://www.si.com/tennis/2016/05/20/french-open-2016-womens-seed-report
I lol’d at his pick of Lisicki being a dark house - girl does nothing on any surface except grass.
Pretty funny YouTube video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzCg7mLrfvs
It is way too premature if you ask me. Somehow, it gave me a very premature (I hope) sense of nostalgia.
When is that from?
Except for PKitty almost blowing a match from 6-2 3-0 up to have to break to stay in match it was otherwise a ho-hum day. I think only 9 matches got played. Weather report looks equally horrid for tomorrow.
It must be recent. I saw it yesterday. It only makes sense given the current context. Hopefully, Roger isn’t trying to tell us anything through this.
The weather in France in late May is typically cloudy, cool, rainy and damp. They really ought to cover their main courts…tout de suite!
PC is getting a roof. Supposedly will be ready in 2020.
I was at Paris way back in the mid 80’s during RG and it was over 100 every day but like any northern city in spring weather varies. I think I also heard yesterday during the broadcast that this year RG is also a week earlier because of the Olympics.
I don’t think Roger is trying to send a message.