Fabulous Paris: Many fairy tales were written at the French Open

The French Open will probably go down in history. Not just because there were two new Grand Slam winners, but because forecasts in general were turned upside down. In the end, the emotions that make the sport so special won.

The heroes of a tennis saga:

Alexander Zverev

When tennis was reported in Germany, it was mostly about Zverev’s failed Grand Slam attempts. Now he is the big hero, having reached the goal of his dreams after his five-set victory in the final over Flavio Cobolli. After the final, the Italian said what many were thinking:

Germany’s tennis boom is long over. The Sunday “Tageschau” at 8 p.m. on ARD bore witness to this: the main report in sport belonged to football, and only then was Alexander Zverev recognized. It doesn’t matter whether he is the country’s first French Open winner, it doesn’t matter whether he is the first German Grand Slam champ in 30 years.
Zverev never had it easy in his homeland anyway.

“Hamburg Young”

The man, who was in the top 3 for the first time in 2017 or who served eleven times (!) in a Grand Slam semi-final, was always judged by the lack of a Grand Slam title and was almost given the loser image on his forehead by the harshest critics in Germany. If it was widely reported at all. There would be too much Russia in him, but despite his Russian ancestors he is a real “Hamburg boy”. Things that he no longer needs to worry about at the latest. Also the opinion of harsh critics who point out that he practically should have won after the elimination of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic and the rejection of Carlos Alcaraz.
Just like it was back then Dominic Thiem 2020 in New York war.

Winning a Grand Slam tournament is the ultimate achievement for a tennis professional. No matter who else is there. There are seven bridges (games) that you have to cross. Only the greatest can do that. Zverev is now one of them at the latest.

Italy

Jannik Sinner flew out in the 2nd round, Lorenzo Musetti, the regular number 2, canceled due to injury. And yet they stood with us Flavio Cobolli, Matteo Berrettini and Matteo Arnaldi three Italians in the quarterfinals. An exclamation mark from a country that has now become a tennis nation thanks to the good work everywhere (you have less fun with the national soccer team). The first Grand Slam title since 1976 (Adriano Panatta) is only a matter of time; the Davis Cup has recently triumphed three times in a row.

By the way, Cobolli will be there in July this year Generali Open in Kitzbühel and in October at First Bank Open can be seen in Vienna. Final opponent Zverev will also serve there.

Mirra Andrejewa

The 19-year-old, number six in the rankings since Monday after her title at the French Open, remained successful despite her promotion. The Russian is by far the best clay court player this year and also won in April Upper Austria Ladies in Linz and answered questions from the media there in an extremely modest and friendly manner.

At the million-dollar tournament in Rome, she recognized the Austrians – and high-fived them. Andreyeva says less about political issues – and she doesn’t have to. In fact, she often emphasizes that she has never had any problems as a Russian.

Maja Chwalinska

The name Maja Chwalinska was not even known to all tennis insiders before the French Open. Now the Pole was at her best in Roland Garros. As Number 114 started, the fairy tale only ended in the final against Andrejewa and initially in 21st place in the WTA rankings. Particularly spicy: During the qualification, Chwalinska even had to get money for a room from her famous compatriot Iga Swiatek – now she is 1.4 million euros richer.

Juan Manuel Cerundolo

Juan Manuel Cerundolo’s team will have already packed their bags and booked flights during the second round game. If you are 0:2 in sets and 1:5 behind against Jannik Sinner, your chance of winning is as high as if Cape Verde became soccer world champions. But the first in the rankings completely collapsed, but the Argentine also played smart and was still allowed to extend. After the round of 16 he was able to check out.

Neil Oberleitner & Anastasia Potapova

Things could have gone even further for both ÖTV players: 26-year-old Viennese Neil Oberleitner served in the main draw of a Slam for only the second time – and reached the quarter-finals with his Czech partner Petr Nouza. They also had match points there – but failed. However, Alexander Antonitsch’s nephew made a recommendation for the future. And neo-Austrian Anastasia Potapowa Sensationally beat the defending champion Coco Gauff and won the round of 16 against the Russian Anna Kalinskaja.