Lately, I've been much more into the prize money sports of golf and tennis rather than the guaranteed money sports. Maybe it's just the free market in me. Monday marked the start of the French Open, the second tennis Grand Slam tournament of the year. Being one of six Americans that still pays attention of men's tennis, I feel obligated to do a little pro bono marketing.
Men's tennis couldn't be more competitive than it is right now. There are nine guys who can win the French Open. Four players had a chance to finish last year ranked No. 1 going into the last tournament. But it's not overly competitive in an NFL, win the Super Bowl; miss the playoffs kind of way. Four guys have won two Grand Slams over that same period. Plus, all six inhabited continents are represented in the top 36 players. That means a lot of smarmy looking guys to laugh at or plenty of diversity, depending on your political convictions.
Tennis is special because prize money instead of contracts means everyone has to perform every day without exception. Aside from Andre Agassi, Marat Safin and a handful of German players, everyone plays hard on every point, which is more than you can say for most pro sports. For no other reason, Chris Fowler hosts for ESPN, so there is always an outside chance Lee Corso will show up, throw on a matador's hat, and yell, I got Ferrero in straight sets
baby!
Anyway, here's a layman's analysis of some of the guys worth watching during the next two weeks:
Andy Roddick -I think part of the appeal of our guy is that he seems like a dude who drinks beers and plays Golden Tee. But then again, in the last nine months he's won the U.S. Open, dumped Mandy Moore, hosted Saturday Night Live and rescued a dozen people from a hotel fire in Italy -while I took a road trip to Notre Dame and bought an iPod. He's got a big, violent swing and plays with emotion, so his matches are never boring. If he gets passed the third round, however, Art Schlichter was probably involved.
Roger Federer -Federer has been Pete Sampras -he's been dominant in the last seven months and can make every shot in the liquor cabinet. Of course, you wouldn't know this because ESPN would rather show Vince Spadea vs. Brian Vahaly than a player from another country. But he's lost in the first round the last two years, so who knows?
Gustavo Kuerten -At every tournament I've ever been to, he's signed every autograph, shook every hand and kissed every baby, but not in that fake political candidate way. He always seems so happy and is always fun to watch. He's won here three times and should do a lot of damage, but he's had hip surgery recently and his career is unfortunately winding down.
Safin -It's basically unanimous that he is the most talented player in the game and is equally adept on all surfaces. Unfortunately, my all-time favorite player might be the biggest headcase in history. He's just as likely to lose in the first round as he is to blow Sampras out in straight sets (like in the 2000 U.S. Open final). He is good for at least three smashed rackets, a profanity-laced meltdown and four or five Maxim models in his coach's box -plus he's been linked to the Russian Mafia, so he's got that going for him, which is nice.
Anyone from Spain or Argentina -Because someone from Spain or Argentina wins every year, I'll throw a few names out there for you. Juan Carlos Ferrero won last year. David Nalbandian owns Roger Federer. Guillermo Coria has pounded everyone since last year. Fernando Gonzalez reminds me of a younger Jesus Quintana. I'll go with Coria for now, but Carlos Moya is my back-up.
-Keating is a senior accounting major. Send him an e-mail at thecincinnatikid3@yahoo.com. 17
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Jack Keating
