No, you're wrong! This is neither just another article about the misery of Americans on the red clay of Roland Garros, nor about the famous Victor Hugo novel about the French Revolution.
Last year, I wrote a fairly harsh article about the British fans and how they should cherish Tim Henman and quit their whining about how he can't win the big one, etc. I criticized everything from the bad attitude that they have during Tim's matches to how unrealistic their expectations were regarding Tim's achievements. I claimed Tim Henman lived with the most unfair group of fans on earth. I received a fair amount of angry feedback from some of them.
Well, I owe the British fans an apology.
In two days of watching Roland Garros, I firmly conclude that the French belong right up there with the British, if not higher. I also conclude that although British have dirtier mouths when watching one of their own, the French's words are more piercing and downright mean on a personal level.
I thought winning Wimbledon was a tough task for Tim Henman. In the last 48 hours, I have spent a few hours watching Roland Garros with the French in Paris bistros, along with several other hours live at Roland Garros. I conclude that if at the time Tim's task of winning Wimbledon was tough, Amelie Mauresmo's task of winning the French Open is impossible.
The way French tennis fans behaved while watching Amelie lose to Nicole Vaidisova and Gael Monfils lose to Djokovic, they outperformed Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh by a kilometer and a half. As a matter of fact, they were so negative that I admired their ability to withstand severe mood swings when I saw some of the same people cheering and declaring Julien Benneteau a true hero following his wins. While I am happy for the French guy for reaching the quarters, I can't help but say "Pauvre Julien!" to myself thinking of the day when he will be ousted either by Ivan Ljubicic or Rafael Nadal in the next couple of days.
That's right! Even if he loses to Nadal...
Imagine dealing with the following questions from the French media (translated, of course):
"This quarterfinals appearance seems like a joke. Is this also your feeling?"
"Do you feel that stars are on your side since last week?"
"If Ruben Ramirez wins against Ljubicic, you will be the favorite. How will that feel for once?" Thank God Ramirez didn't win and Julien can be an "outsider" (word taken directly from the French commentators).
How about these comments from the TV guys during their match (again, translated):
"Disgusting" (after a Mauresmo miss in the third game of third set versus Vaidisova).
"Don't let us down" (following a mistake by Monfils during the first set tiebreaker against Djokovic).
"Get your head back to the court" (to Mauresmo while she was down a break in the second set).
Let's follow it up with written media's comments about Mauresmo's defeat:
"Mauresmo, as usual, lets the curtain close early. Without joy or glory!"
"Anesthetic strokes, paralyzed tactics, techniques."
"Frozen dreams."
"Without being too patriotic or homophobic, one can find logic in Amelie's defeat."
Say what? Oh my! And these were comments in the public eye? You bet!
As far as what the general population in the street say in bistros or at Roland Garros, I will refrain from comment, considering numerous young tennis fans may read this article. It's bad when Yannick Noah makes a comment about not being sure if he could win the French Open now, if he was in his prime. He added that it was "tougher now." Call me crazy, but I have a feeling he is not saying that because the players are better today.
I will be at Roland Garros on Tuesday again. I will enjoy watching four girls from four different countries and two highly-seeded guys battle it out on Suzanne Lenglen. They will not be French. They will not be dissected with passion by the crowd. I am sure I will enjoy every moment and listen to comments around me without cringing.
I finally conclude with pleasure that I will not be there Wednesday when Julien Benneteau plays!
June 7, 2006
Tom Kosinski:
Mert,
Great article. Better you then me. I experienced that a few times when I was over there. Can’t imagine what was said about Mary Pierce last year when she lost in the final.
See you over the summer…
tom k.
June 7, 2006
Samrin:
very interesting article!
Sammy
June 10, 2006
Cowboy Raj:
thanks for this piece, enjoyed reading it. can read about the matches everywhere else but info like this makes reading fun. my friend claude admitted to your comments being right and he’s french!!
raj