Gael Monfils and Stan Wawrinka played their final matches at Roland-Garros this year. They went out in the way they wanted, and on their own brand: Monfils almost pulling a miraculous comeback from two sets to love, but ultimately his body couldn't carry him, and Wawrinka blasting backhand winners, but now unable to match the aggression with defensive play.
It was amazing.
I will miss them so much.
There's something weird, really sad, about watching players like these two, plus others who also played their final Roland-Garros, like David Goffin in the qualifying, and Roberto Bautista Agut, also out in the first round, saying good bye to the sport I love. It felt like I knew them, they were companions of mine. On my tv and other screens, and some lucky times live, I could count on having them around. They would do marvelous things. They would challenge the Big 3 with heart and soul. They would lose most often. They would play each other and fight till they couldn't stand.
It was awesome. But every player must leave the Tour one day. At least they were able to go out the way they wanted.
Also, wtf is up with the Roland-Garros vs French Open thing? That was probably the dumbest debate we've had in a while. Honestly, it was actually kind of fun lol plus I learned a bit about the recent history of the tournament!
Some marketing geeking out in this episode too, if that's something you into.
And here's the Christopher Clarey article on The New York Times I quoted: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/24/sports/tennis/a-puzzler-in-paris-french-open-or-roland-garros.html?pagewanted=all
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