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To all lord, all honor … Holding the title and eight-time winner of the tournament, Roger Federer will have the privilege of opening the ball Monday afternoon from 14 hours against French Serb Lajovic. The beginning of a fortnight that should not lack flavor even if the ghost Andy Murray has finally preferred to forfeit.
A brand new Federer?
After again ignoring the clay season The 37-year-old Swiss went green by winning the title in Stuttgart before falling to Halle's final against Coric, whom he could meet again at Wimbledon in the round of 16. Will he manage to keep his crown? The challenge is to its excesses. Because the Basel has not managed to align two consecutive titles in London since … eleven years! Federer had even had to wait five years before raising a new trophy last year, without conceding a single set.
Even if he imposes himself again in two weeks, the man of the 20 Majors is not certain to take the first place in world Rafael Nadal, which is ahead of 50 small points. It "enough" indeed to the Spaniard, recent winner of his 11th Roland-Garros to do better than an eighth to keep his chair at the top. "I'm happy that everything is going well in practice," said Federer, who has been on the British grbad since 1999. "I hit the ball very well. I am hopeful for tomorrow. I am confident, especially because I played all the field games that I was hoping to play.
The other attraction on the men's board should have been Andy Murray, but the former world No. 1, back on the circuit after a year of absence, finally gave up Sunday night as he had to face Benoît Paire in the first round.
Serena can still reign?
If the organizers must respect the ATP ranking to designate the men's seed (but not their order), in the girls it is rather at the head … of the client. Thus, Serena Williams, seven-time winner and dropped to 182nd place worldwide because of maternity, will run on the courts as a No. 25.
"I was pleasantly surprised. I came here expecting to probably not be seeded, she said in a press conference she had shifted a day to accompany her old friend Meghan Markle see a polo match of her husband Prince Harry. I know that Wimbledon tends to follow its own path. That's what sets it apart. You know, I'm here to do my best. I thought it was very, very noble, honest and cool … "
Betrayed by his physique for his return to Roland Garros, the former world No. 1 will face the modest Dutchman (107th) at first round. Things should get tougher from the third round (Svitolina or Mladenovic) but Wimbledon is the Grand Slam best suited to the American (nine finals).
A little corner of blue sky?
The last few months have been very delicate for the Tricolores. There will be at least one Frenchman in the second round since Gasquet and Monfils clash with each other. In full confidence, Chardy inherited a strong first round against the great Canadian prospect Shapovalov
Mannarino remains on a final in Antalya and Pouille has regained his smile by defeating Nadal … in exhibition. In girls, Caroline Garcia looks match after match. La Lyonnaise is right, as the road ahead is like an obstacle course.
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