Associated Press
PARIS ó Asked if there’s a real favorite for this year’s French Open, Serena Williams shot back a quick answer.
“Yeah,” she replied, “I definitely think Nadal is probably a big-time favorite.”
Well, yes, Serena, you’re right, four-time champion Rafael Nadal surely is the man to beat. But what about the women’s field?
“I don’t know,” she said. “I’m just here to play and go for it.”
As the year’s second Grand Slam tournament begins today, no one seems to know which woman is the likeliest to hoist the trophy in two weeks.
“It’s very hard to pick one,” said Ana Ivanovic, the defending champion.
If a fourth consecutive men’s final between Nadal and Roger Federer seems like a possibility, the women’s event appears less predictable.
Williams and Ivanovic each has struggled recently with a bothersome knee. Maria Sharapova returned to the tour this week after missing nearly 10 months, and she was wearing white tape on her surgically repaired right shoulder as she practiced at Roland Garros on Saturday.
Top-seeded Dinara Safina is playing better than anyone on clay lately, but she never has won a major title, nor has Jelena Jankovic. Williams’ older sister Venus loses power on the slow, red surface. Up-and-comers Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark and Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland are still untested at the late stages of a major.
“They just need a little bit more experience in the Grand Slams and playing at this level,” Ivanovic said. “But I think definitely in the future they have very good potential.”
Ivanovic opens Sunday’s schedule on center court against Sara Errani of Italy. Others slated to play on Day 1 include Amelie Mauresmo, Andy Murray, Marat Safin and Lleyton Hewitt.
Serena Williams’ most recent match, at the Madrid Open this month, ended when she stopped after dropping the first set, citing her bum knee ó making for her fourth loss in a row.
Still, other players aren’t assuming the younger Williams won’t be a factor in Paris.
“If she’s going to play, I’m sure she’s going to be 100 percent, feels ready to compete,” Ivanovic said. “Both Williams, they are great champions, and they always perform well at the big events.”
That much is true. The sisters own a total of 17 major singles titles, including from each of the past three Grand Slam tournaments.
That streak began after a wobbly showing at last year’s French Open, when both sisters lost on the same day, in the third round.
“They just have to learn how to do the rope-a-dope as they get older,” Oracene Price, their mother and coach, said at the time.
One isn’t really used to hearing Serena Williams downplay her chances at any tournament, much less one she’s won.