Tennis

Andy Roddick and Jon Wertheim Discuss Roland Garros' Rain Delays, Fan Behavior, and Player PerspectivesThe first week of Roland Garros has been marked by persistent rain delays, creating a challenging environment for players and fans alike. Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick and Tennis Channel's Jon Wertheim delve into the impact of these delays on players' mentality and preparation.Roddick highlights the stress players face as they navigate the unpredictable weather, constantly preparing for potential matches that may or may not occur. He notes that lower-ranked players are particularly affected, often facing the uncertainty of side-court placement.The discussion also addresses the issue of fan behavior at Roland Garros. Roddick expresses concern over the rowdiness and verbal abuse directed at players, particularly David Goffin. Wertheim and Roddick debate the tournament's decision to ban alcohol in stadiums as a solution.Roddick argues that while physical safety is paramount, he appreciates the atmosphere created by passionate fans. He suggests that fans could mitigate the issue by consuming alcohol before entering the stadium. From a player's perspective, Roddick believes that name-calling and booing are part of the game, but emphasizes the importance of being able to hear the ball off the opponent's racquet.The episode also touches on Elena Rybakina's complaints about the content of press conferences. Wertheim acknowledges the diversity of players and the challenge of asking engaging questions. He expresses sympathy for players who may find press conferences repetitive.Roddick and Wertheim analyze the second-round match between Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka, highlighting Swiatek's resilience in overcoming a 2-5 deficit in the deciding set. They discuss Swiatek's growth and her ability to handle the pressure of being world No. 1.Finally, the episode concludes with a discussion of Rafael Nadal's first-round loss. Roddick questions whether Nadal believes he can still make an impact on surfaces other than clay at this stage of his career.

Roland Garros 2023: Rain Continues to Plague French Open, Disrupting Schedule and PlayThe 2023 French Open has been marred by relentless rain, which has disrupted the schedule and forced organizers to rely heavily on retractable roofs. For the past seven days, precipitation has fallen in some form, leading to the unfortunate moniker of "Drench Open."The retractable roofs over Courts Philippe Chatrier and Suzanne Lenglen have been in constant use, providing a lifeline for the tournament. Without the Lenglen roof, which debuted this year, the situation would have been even more dire.Schedule makers have faced a daunting task, constantly adjusting the daily puzzle due to the unpredictable weather. Despite attempts to start play earlier and cram more matches onto more courts, the rain has persisted.On Saturday, play on outside courts began as scheduled, but was suspended around 1 p.m. local time. No play has occurred since then, with journalist Jose Morgado's timeline resembling a litany of delays.Around 5 p.m. local time, all doubles matches were canceled for the day. Only 10 games of second-round play in the women's doubles event have been completed, and six first-round matches remain unfinished.When play has been possible, it has often extended late into the night or even into the next day. Lighted courts, a recent addition to Roland Garros, have been heavily utilized, resulting in a hefty utility bill.In addition to the rain, cold temperatures in the 50s and 60s Fahrenheit have added to the discomfort. Hooded tops and parka coats have become common sights, while sunscreen has gone unused.Despite the challenging conditions, fans have remained resilient, sticking around and taking to their damp seats. As of 5:15 p.m., tarps were being removed from outside courts, and play resumed 25 minutes later.Rain is an unavoidable challenge for Grand Slams, but the extent of the disruption in Paris has been unprecedented. Organizers have been left with few options but to adapt and hope for better weather in the coming days.