Andy Roddick at Roland Garros

I have just posted: Gael Monfils: embarrassment at Roland Garros. To Andy Roddick, first congratulations on your recent marriage. Second, congratulations on your fair play in your match with Gael Monfils. You played the hand you were dealt by the umpires and you watched the rudeness of Monfils. I have liked and respected Monfils before - no more. Andy, thank you for playing an honorable match even unable to see the ball when the cloud-cover blanketed the court at sunset. Also, thank you for your sportsmanlike play and for not allowing yourself to become the 'victim' before the French umpires and spectators. Both acted against the best of tennis sportsmanship. You would not say this but I can because I am only a fan of pro-tennis: to the other players, the fix seems to be in for Gael Monfils if there is any way for the 'people in power' on the court to make it happen. But in the locker room, Monfils deserves to be shunned. He dishonored the tradition of good sportsmanship in many ways. Whether he wins or not, he has demonstrated that he is not in the same league as the other players. His friendliness is only an act based upon his behavior on the court against Andy Roddick. Watch the tape; that's all you need to see. You will know among yourselves how to treat him from now on in the locker room and on the courts. And when you come out playing against him - within the bounds of good sportsmanship - come out to beat him and beat him bad. What he did in his attitude and behavior toward Andy Roddick does not deserve any further respect toward him. You must display the good sportsmanship he lacks and at the same time come onto the court to beat him fair, square, and fully. Certainly, you gentlemen know how to do that without a word passing between you. And if the pro-tennis committee folks who make the rules have any gonads, they should sanction and fine Monfils. Good for Andy Roddick. He lost the match because he could not see the ball and the behavior of the umpires appeared compromised but Andy won on honor and sportsmanship.

Roland Garros - The French Open begins May 24

Here is the official site for the Roland-Garros French Open which begins May 24 through June 7 if I have the dates right.

Aside from being really thrilled that Federer won the Madrid Open and should have his confidence "back in order" working better than a Swiss time piece with bringing "his" game to his challengers - I'm ready for a great week of pro-tennis.

Of course, I'll be watching Federer and Nadal, but I think it's time to watch Fernando Verdasco, Juan Martin del Potro (what a hotty).  I've always liked Nikolay Davydenko.  One thing I have been doing is trying to watch the early matches so that I can see who played whom to get into the quarter-finals.

A couple other players that I like to watch are Wawrinka - wow, can he put the pressure on when he wants to do it.  Of course, Andy Roddick is always tough to beat and Murray may be out for first blood in Paris.  But I also like Gael Monfils, Gilles Simon, and James Blake.  I like Foginni too but he doesn't always get control of his responses;  he gives too much away.

The Spaniards have depth no doubt about it;  the French have their drivers;  but Argentine - not that's a place to watch.

I have not left out Novak or Andy (Murray) but it seems they are getting somewhat predictable.  I know you use your strengths but like Nadal who is a natural right-handed man, he learned to play with his left hand as the dominate hand thus you are forced to strengthen your "weaknesses."

But Novak has a tell and everyone knows it.  He bounces the ball too much at the line when he is serving.  Anyone remember the days when he'd bounce it 30 times?  What that said was here's someone who is unsure and nervous.  He's starting to do it again.

Watching the pro-tours is not unlike watching the cowboys in the rodeo circuits.  Within a group of players, I don't know if it is the top 50 or top 30, but it seems that any or nearly any player can win against any other player.  

The difference seems to be the winner is the one who adapts his game to fastest, takes his game to the court and plays the game he wants to play, works the net WELL/GOOD, and modifies his game, changes the pace and changes up the game when he needs to like the quickest spin of a dime.

Roland-Garros will be great.  Good playing to all the contestants - slippin' and slidin' on that clay.   It's the closest we as fans get to seeing them having fun;  the kind of fun they had when they were little boys just like sliding in to third base...