Heat at Roland Garros during the colder months
Wemay be feeling a temperature change as we delve deeper into the colder months, but at least we get to see the heat on the tennis courts during June’s famous clay court slam at Roland Garros.
The Parisian flair of this unique eventmakes it unlike its three Grand Slam counterparts and not just because of the red clay the players find themselves sliding on.
It is a completely different event on many other spectrums, ranging from the way the event is organised, through to the challenges Covid-19 restrictions have placed on the interaction between players, fans and administrators.
For the first time in the tournament’s history, there have been night sessions under lights.
The night sessions have caused their own share of controversy, with the 9pm French curfew meaning spectators have not been able to view some marquee matches live.
In some instances fans have had to exit the stadiums in the closing stages of crunch matches, ushered out when amatch is at it’s tipping point. It is a farcical situation that affects not just the spectators, but also the poor players, who are faced with deafening silence and zero atmosphere as opposed to thunderous applause when they effect their heroics.
However, these are unusual times and I amcertain the players and officials are relieved a tournament of this nature can go ahead. I am selfishly thankful there is world-class tennis to watch.
I’m even keeping tabs with the online score tracker when my work commitments don’t allow for viewing.
It is hard to go past Rafael Nadal completing an unbelievable 14th Roland Garros victory.
This man knows how to win on clay, but even more so in Paris, where his track record is unlike any other player at any tournament in the world. He has the ability to captivate, make you appreciate, and sometimes even simply pinch yourselfwhen he performs.
As much as I ama hardcore Roger Federer fan, you cannot go past what Nadal has achieved as one of the most incredible feats of modern sport.
At a local level, New Zealand tennis clubs will all be going through the process of organising themselves and their committees for the upcoming season.
Headlined by the annual Love Tennis festival that kicks everything into gear in October, all clubs will be making sure they have their systems in place to attract new and existing players.
In all my years involved with tennis, I have never seen any idea as effective as the Love Tennis concept.
As far as I amconcerned, any event focused on celebrating our sport is an absolute winner.
My advice is to keep an eye out for this event in the upcoming months. And even better, if you have some spare time, see if you can lend awelcome hand.