Stan, what a man!

Jun 8, 2015, 2:45:55 PM

Stan, what a man!
The star of this Roland Garros fortnight is pink and white, and no bigger than a poodle. Yes, the striped shorts of Stan Wawrinka allow him to take the lead of the funny WAT ranking.

We were expecting Novak Djokovic but it was finally Stanislas Wawrinka who raised the Musketeers Cup after an incredible final. A first Roland Garros for the Swiss, caught with his one-handed backhand and... His picnic blanket patterned shorts. He therefore takes the top spot of the WAT ranking before Serena Williams and Lucie Safarova.

 

1- Stanislas Wawrinka (NE).

 

He confessed it in the press conference: Stanislas Wawrinka never thought that he would have such a career. That is to say, to win two Grand Slam titles. In the final against the favourite Novak Djokovic, the Swiss pulled out the match of his life to finally win in four sets. A success that he largely owes to his famous plaid shorts, which have been a major topic of conversation in France. So as a tribute, he decided to bring them with him in front of the journalists.

 

 

But his victory is not an absolute miracle since the player seeded No. 8 has impressed everybody throughout the fortnight. A Swiss in buffalo mode, as usual, but not only. Also very cuddly sometimes.

 

 

Wawrinka has then won the honorary title of "best Swiss of the tournament." There was competition still, with Timea Bacsinszky who reached the semi-finals of the women's draw and Roger Federer that he defeated in the quarterfinals. Or rather, one could say "scalped"?

 

 

2- Serena Williams (+12).

 

On the WTA Tour, the boss is unquestionably Serena Williams, who won the tournament despite handicapping flu symptoms. Frankly, it was hard to see!

 

 

The American won her twentieth Grand Slam title, coming a little closer of the twenty-two mythical victories of Steffi Graf. A fair play German who said about her record not far from falling: "It's really not a problem for me, it won’t stop me from sleeping at night." We still hope that those ball boys are well aware of how fortunate they are to leave Roland Garros with such a souvenir.

 

 

The glamorous Serena Williams also took advantage of her stay in Paris to dress up for a charity event.

 

 

A very… wedding look.

 

3- Lucie Safarova (NE).

 

The defeated finalist amongst women is Lucie Safarova, who can nevertheless be proud of her journey and the playing level displayed during the tournament. She achieved the best performance of her career in a Grand Slam tournament.

 

 

In addition, the Czech has proved to be super friendly and photogenic, whether she was with her coach, the explosive Canadian Rob Steckley.

 

 

But also with her doubles partner, the American Bethany Mattek-Sands, with whom she won the tournament, the second Grand Slam of the year after the Australian Open.

 

 

... Or with her sister, who came to Paris to support her during the lost singles final against Serena Williams.

 

 

A revelation, this Lucie Safarova! And a well deserved podium in our ranking of week.

 

 4- Novak Djokovic (/).

 

Despite the final, the biggest loser of this fortnight is Novak Djokovic. Stripped of his nemesis Nadal, he failed to win the only Grand Slam that he’s still missing. Blame it on an incredible Stan Wawrinka. The Serb was so frustrated that he broke a racquet during the game.

 

 

Applauded several minutes by the public of the centre court, Djokovic shed a tear during the awards ceremony. The Serb had been very modest all week and didn’t show a lot of emotions, he who had previously respectfully saluted the valiant Murray, who took him two sets in the semi-finals or very calmly celebrated his victory over the ogre Nadal by drinking... a cup of tea.

 

 

The Serb, who never forgets to greet his fans and get caught up in the selfie game.

 

 

Definitely a good guy this Novak. Next big step coming up for him: to defend his title at Wimbledon.

 

5- Andy Murray (+4).

 

And the prize for warrior of the fortnight is attributed to... Andy Murray! A Scot in William Wallace mode in Paris, with a fighting spirit strong enough to shake Djokovic during a semi-final played in two stages, interrupted by nightfall.

 

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The highly demanding public of Roland Garros enjoyed that spirit and Murray was able to leave the tournament with the feeling of accomplishment.

 

 

The presence by his side of Mauresmo seems in any case to do much good to Andy Murray.

 

 

A new mental, enough to approach the next deadlines with ambition. Including of course the upcoming Wimbledon tournament at home.

 

6- Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (NE).

 

What a fortnight for Tsonga! The public and the French media could legitimately fear that no compatriot would shine this year at Roland Garros, given the poor form shown by almost all French players before the beginning of the tournament. It was without counting on the comeback of "Jo". The French went back to the final four of a Grand Slam tournament with the support of his family.

 

 

The romance between the player and the Parisian spectators reached its climax after the quarterfinal won against Kei Nishikori (6/1 6/4 4/6 3/6 6/3), after which Tsonga used the clay to declare his love. An original victory celebration immediately (kindly) mocked on social networks.

 

 

Finally defeated in the semi-finals by Wawrinka, Tsonga can still keep many positive from this fortnight, where he regained fitness, malice in the game and enthusiasm.

 

 

7- Ana Ivanovic (NE).

 

It was also a great pleasure to see a very fit Ana Ivanovic at Roland Garros, it had been a while. And even if the fans of the young lady had the sadness to learn that she was no longer single...

 

 

The Serbian player has done an excellent job in Paris, finally stopped at the gates of the final by Lucie Safarova. Enough to leave the tournament with honours and without regrets.

 

 

During the rounds before this semi-final, Ivanovic regained a very interesting game, with very nice winning shots... Even while stumbling!

 

 

Even when she's falling down on clay, she does it with grace and with a smile.

 

8- Timea Bacsinsky (NE).

 

The other unfortunate semi-finalist is less known: it’s the Swiss Timea Bacsinsky, from Lausanne, who fought hard before losing to queen Serena.

 

 

A small disappointment quickly swept away by the very positive results of this Parisian fortnight in the form of a revelation.

 

 

The public discovered a tenacious and fun player, obviously having a blast on the WTA Tour.

 

 

After this beautiful Roland Garros, we are already looking forward to see her at the next tournament, where she will benefit from the continued support of her compatriots.

 

 

 

9- Rafael Nadal (-7).

 

No decima for the master of clay, dominated as his supporters could fear in the quarterfinal against the world number 1, the ruthless Novak Djokovic.

 

 

Not enough, however to destabilize the Majorcan, who could be seen smiling and even go bananas very quickly after his defeat!

 

 

Laters Rafa, please come back soon!

 

10- Roger Federer (-9).

 

No second victory at Roland Garros in the prize list of Roger Federer. At least not this year as the Swiss was defeated by his compatriot Stan Wawrinka in the quarterfinals.

 

 

From his little Parisian fortnight, "RF" will remember the controversy surrounding the "selfie-gate", some very beautiful matches solidly won in the first week, but also an attempt of reconversion in design that one could judge both audacious and calamitous!

 

 

On to the next steps, without regret and with a smile for this big kid that Roger remained.

 

 

11- Jérémy Chardy (NE).

 

The other nice surprise for the French during this French Open is named Jeremy Chardy, author of a surprising journey ended against the very solid Andy Murray. Not without taking a set to the Scot, quite a performance.

 

 

Chardy has obviously benefited from the support of the Parisian public during the tournament, but also that of his girlfriend, the player Alizé Lim, who shared her frustration to not be able to be as loud as she would have liked to encourage her man.

 

 

In doubles too Chardy had fun with his partner Lukasz Kubot. The pair has been eliminated in the third round by the Bryan brothers, not without making a few strokes of brilliance, like this rare gesture succeeded with an astonishing reflex by Kubot.

 

 

12- Kei Nishikori (NE).

 

If he's clearly not the most charismatic player of the ATP Tour, but Kei Nishikori is definitely a funny guy. His weapons to make people laugh? A very dippy attitude!

 

 

As soon his defeat in the quarterfinal against Tsonga digested, the Japanese left Paris towards new adventures. How's the moral, Kei?

 

 

13- Amélie Mauresmo (NE).

 

The coach who was the most into the spotlight during this Parisian fortnight was undoubtedly Amelie Mauresmo, radiant to return home to care for her protégé Andy Murray.

 

 

Both showed a beautiful partnership. Asked on the subject, Murray said that he was "feminist", showing in any case a perfect agreement with the future mother Amelie Mauresmo, who definitely has a fabulous career.

 

 

14- Li Na (NE).

 

If Mauresmo is expecting a joyful event soon, this is already the case for the recent retiree Li Na. The Chinese shared her happiness on social networks.

 

 

The former winner of Roland Garros received many congratulations including those of old rivals on the tour. Including another recent retiree Marion Bartoli.

 

 

We take advantage of this occasion to address our sincere congratulations to the new parents!

 

15- Nick Kyrgios (NE).

 

Paris made Kyrgios romantic…

 

 

Problem: it hasn’t really helped him perform (defeat in three straight sets in the third round against Murray). Enough to annoy the legendary Nick Bollettieri, who thinks that Kyrgios and his compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis are not doing enough to help Australian tennis return to the spotlight.

 

 

But talent is definitely there, as evidenced by this crazy point won by Kyrgios against Murray.

 

 

It might actually be the craziest point of this beautiful Parisian fortnight.

 

Out:

 

Sharapova, Monfils, Paire, Mladenovic, Sock, Youzhny, Janowicz, Marchenko, Mahut, Melzer

 

By Régis Delanoë