Bill Simons and Vinay Venkatesh
Paris
NAOMI’S TEARS: In tennis as in life, the years tend to take their toll. But few have gone from such sheer innocence to deep sensitivity, even sorrow, quite like Naomi Osaka. When she emerged, she was just 15, so sweet, spontaneous and apparently free of worries and expectations.
But, as she did last year, the four-time Slam champ suffered a crushing early Centre Court defeat to a top 10 player. In 2024, she couldn’t convert a match point against Iga Swiatek. This year she lost in three sets to No. 10 seed Paula Badosa.
She was gutted. When asked why this loss was so tough, she explained, “I think as time goes on, I feel like I should be doing better…I hate disappointing people. So, like, even with Patrick…he goes from working with the greatest player ever to, like, ‘What the f–k is this?’”
The great champion then began to sob. Early in her career, Naomi’s press conferences were sheer delight – such whimsy. But now, yet another press conference went off the rails. Shaken and full of regret, Naomi had to go backstage to gather herself.
Years ago, press rooms were dazzled by Osaka’s sweet takes and easy jokes. Now, even grizzled writers couldn’t help but empathize with the war-weary 27-year-old, who so often has been subsumed with sorrow.
WHY AM I CRYING IF HE’S NOT CRYING? Iga Swiatek again won today. There was no surprise – she’s 25-1 in Grand Slam first rounds. And it was no surprise she offered kind words about Rafa Nadal, who she looks up to as a role model. When Inside Tennis asked the four-time Roland Garros champ what she admired the most about Rafa, she noted his down-to-earth goodness and detachment.
She recalled her feelings after Rafa lost to Novak in 2021. “I was devastated that he lost, and the next day, I met him after breakfast and I asked, ‘How do you feel?’ He was chill. He’s like, ‘Oh, it’s just a tennis match. I’ll get many more chances.’ I was, like, ‘What? Why am I crying, if he’s not crying?’”
DANIELLE COLLINS – WOMEN DON’T HAVE TO BE PERFECT: In her way, Iga Swiatek is a feminist pioneer. But she has a cautious nature. One of the most famous Poles in the world is under great scrutiny, has a business empire she doesn’t want to risk, and is wary of the press. She can open up, but mostly on her own terms.
Today, a persistent American reporter asked her again and again whether it was sexist for Roland Garros to always start their snoozy day sessions with women’s matches and feature men in high-profile night matches. She repeatedly refused to go to the feminist barricades.
American Danielle Collins is different. The Floridian often speaks her mind, offering “let ‘er rip” insights on the rigors of being a female pro athlete.
A month ago at the WTA Strasbourg tourney, she bristled when a photographer came too close, violating her personal space. Danielle explained, “I’m learning that as a female, asking for personal space seems to be an issue…I think it’s really pathetic that it’s even a topic of discussion…I’m doing a performance job, trying to maintain my focus. My job requires channeling physical, emotional, and logical [aspects of myself]. The last thing that I should be focusing on is someone that’s right in my face.”
Danielle explained that she was blamed for complaining, and suggested that having women playing night matches at Roland Garros would add a lot to the tourney. But she seemed to understand Iga’s reluctance, saying that pros face a delicate balance and it can be a challenge to be drawn into controversies. “You can be labeled as a brat. You have to be so careful with everything you say and how you say it. Otherwise it can be taken out of context…A lot of women on tour are probably uncomfortable sometimes to speak on issues…It’s a little bit more challenging for the women to be able to voice their opinions, because we really get hammered if they are not in alignment with the public views.”
When Inside Tennis asked her to reflect on her candid approach, the Danimal (as she’s affectionately called) said, “It’s a big goal for me to be honest, to answer questions thoughtfully, to enter these conversations with intention, to offer some substance…Otherwise I would just put people to sleep…I feel like everyone’s doing their job by asking questions, and creating conversations around tennis…even when the conversation is difficult…It can ruffle feathers…As women, we have a lot of standards we’re held to, being perfect all the time, having the perfect response, having the perfect attitude, having the perfect emotions, having the perfect life, right? It’s just not realistic, so I’ve tried to be open about the good, the bad, the ugly, and my challenges and triumphs, and just offer some substance to people.”
NOLE KNOWS: When reflecting on Rafa’s farewell celebration, Novak Djokovic said, “It’s impossible it doesn’t touch you deeply…Each one of us dreams of being remembered in such a way, and…I do wish one day I can get that kind of good-bye by the world of tennis.” Djokovic, who just won the 100th tourney of his career in Geneva, said that it was emotional coming back to Paris, where he won Olympic gold last August. The Serb added that the breakup of his coaching relationship with Andy Murray was a mutual decision. He reported that after his Geneva victory, the Scot joked, “Now that you have a proper coach, you’re winning tournaments!”
STANIMAL’S MANTRA – “TRY AGAIN. FAIL AGAIN. FAIL BETTER:” Ten years ago, Stan Wawrinka won the French Open. Some claimed that, in addition to Roger, Rafa, Novak and Andy Murray, there should be a Big Five.
Today, Wawrinka, out on Court 14, lost to unseeded Brit Jacob Fearnley.
Reporters couldn’t help recalling his (best in the game) tattoo, Samuel Beckett‘s call for perseverance: “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” When Inside Tennis asked the 40-year-old if he was about to step aside, the Stanimal said, “I am, of course, close to the end. I’m not stopping right now, that’s for sure. I’m getting closer each week. I’m still playing some good tennis. I still move well. I still enjoy. All those losses are getting more difficult to swallow…We’ll see what’s going to come in the next few weeks. I achieved way more than what I could have dreamed of.”
DARE WE SAY: NAVARRO IS EMMA-NATED: Just nine months ago, American Emma Navarro reached the US Open semis. Her results since then haven’t been that grand. Still, she was the French Open’s No. 8 seed. But Spain’s Jessica Bouzas raced out to a 6-0, 5-0 lead. The South Carolinian rallied, but not for long. She lost 6-0, 6-1 in 57 minutes.
