That’s it. After fifteen days of rain, Mexican waves and shoe soles hit by racquets to get rid of the clay, it’s already the end. Or almost, as only two matches remain. The finals in the women and men’s tables. A day like no other at the Porte d’Auteuil.
…A-levels are in 15 days.
...there’s a Spaniard amongst the finalists. Even two.
…the crowd is booing the favorite.
…the winner draws a heart on the clay.
…the Monaco Grand Prix is ran one week earlier.
…it’s a Monday and you’re at work.
... Nelson Monfort is interviewing Toni Nadal.
...« popopopopopo pololololo ? Olé ».
…you have to switch channels in the middle of the fourth set.
…the boxes are full of people who don’t like tennis.
...the Tour de France starts in one month.
…France 2 always make a wide shot of the grass patch in front of the big screen.
…no Frenchman is playing.
…you’ve warmed up in front of the Trophée des Légendes.
...the organizers are restlessly watching the weather forecast.
…the video of Noah’s victory in 1983 is being showed.
…it’s now been 33 years that Noah hasn’t found his heir. And you’d bet your house that a 34th year in on the way.
...you also see the video of Michael Chang’s underarm serve. Or the one of Martina Hingis in tears, being destroyed by the Parisian crowd.
…you don’t remember the last serve and volley you’ve seen.
…the winner climbs the flowerpots to hug his team.
...there’s a stranger in the final of the women’s table. Even two.
…a streaker bursts in on the court.
…you call a friend to organise a tennis match to finish the weekend. The same guy you ring to organise a bike-trip after the Pyrenean stage of the Tour de France.
…Novak Djokovic looks grumpy.
…Jean Gachassin, president of the french tennis federation, has the best seat.
…Gustavo Kuerten is the guest of honor, to hand in the trophy to the winner.
…you make the most of the double break in the third set by having a quick nap.
…an actor promoting his movie comes on the France 2 set to talk about when he was ranked 15/3 and playing at the Plouvennec sur Oise club.
…you wonder what Martin Verkerk has become.
…there’s a tournament on grass tomorrow.
