Tennis Tour Tidbits – Roland Garros, Jack Sock, Milos Raonic and more…

Written by: Staff on 29th May 2013

French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros

Tennis Tour Tidbits - Roland Garros, Jack Sock, Milos Raonic and more...

epa03718258 Milos Raonic of Canada in action during his 1st round match against Xavier Malisse of Belgium at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 26 May 2013. EPA/CAROLINE BLUMBERG |

Marion Bartoli has hired Thomas Drouet , the same guy who John Tomic, the father of Bernard allegedly head-butted, as new assistant coach to work with her father Walter. “Thomas has already worked with Justine Henin,” Bartoli said. “He’s been working with other players, and he said the intensity that I put into the game was on a par or with the intensity of Justine. So that was very encouraging. He’s a fully-fledged member of our team. He’ll share the victories as much as the defeats. He’s fully committed.” . . .

Jack Sock has sketched the initials “AR” and “BB” on his shoes in honor of two of his friends from the juniors, Alex Rovello and Brian Boyd, who recently died in car crashes. . . .

Two-time Roland Garros champion Jim Courier told tennis writer Peter Bodo that Sock “has three great weapons—that serve, the forehand, and his speed. He’s still a little raw, but he has tremendous upside.” Sock has been traveling in Europe with three other American guys: Steve Johnson, Rhyne Williams and Dennis Kudla. . .

Stan Wawrinka was worried that his thigh injury might not recover in time for the French Open but it appears to be OK. . .

Bernard Tomic was forced to retire at Roland Garros with a leg injury and is hopeful that his leg will improve quickly enough so he can play the tournament at Queen’s, which begin the week after Roland Garros. . .

Gael Monfils says he’s not afraid of facing the talented and sometimes zany Ernests Gulbis. “He will not have the upper hand. I’ll be difficult to maneuver. He can go wild, except if I can find the flaws in him.”

P.S. : Paris , France. Roland Garros. The grounds are amazing. The courts are so majestic , it’s Thursday and it looks like all the first round matches have finally been played. Poor Vika had to wait and wait . So did Novak. Crazy schedule. Rain wreaked havoc on it. But for real doubles matches were played ahead of singles ? second round matches were played before first rounds ? youd think if a court was available you have to play your singles matches. ? The forecast this week is so so. Drizzle only so far today. But its a cold month in France. Face it folks. The weather is changing worldwide.

The American Jamie Hampton really plays a great all around game. She had a great week in Belgium and won her first round in Paris. Her game is really nice to watch and just because she is already in her early twenties means little. Payers are coming in to their games later than twenty years ago. The sheer size and strength of both male and female players don’t allow skinny little juniors with bodies that aren’t developed break thru like back in the day.

Speaking of big and strong Milos Raonic is on court against Llodra if Milos wins it will be his 100th ATP win. Wow time does fly. Seems like only yesterday we saw the big guy.

Ok. Tv commentators. Here’s the deal. Talk less. Leave your egos at the door. Stop positioning yourselves as coaches and past players and just let us enjoy the tennis.

Topics: Alex Rovello, Bernard Tomic, Brian Boyd, Gael Monfils, jack sock, Jamie Hampton, Marion Bartoli, milos raonic, Roland Garros