After parading the Champions League trophy along the Champs-Elysées, at the Elysée Palace and then at the Parc des Princes, where else to show off the charmingly nicknamed cup with the big ears? Centre court at the French Open. Step forward PSG wing wizard Ousmane Dembélé.
Presentation
Optics. Who is going to complain about no women's matches in the night session when you can draft in a sleek PSG striker to brandish the most prestigious bauble in European club football? With his club supremo Nasser al-Khelaifi up in the presidential tribune, star forward Ousmane Dembélé strolled onto centre court after local lass Lois Boisson had dispatched the third seed Jessica Pegula and thrice proclaimed: "Ici, c'est Paris!" to replicate the lusty chant from PSG's home ground which is situated an old school goal kick away from the Roland Garros Stadium. "It's wonderful to have won the trophy," Dembélé told the fans. "We gave everything to win it. Thank you for the support." How they cheered. And not a homophobic insult to be heard, which is sometimes the case over the road.
I love you all
Love supreme as well to the centre court crowd from Lois Boisson after she beat third seed Jessica Pegula to became the first Frenchwoman to reach the last eight since Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic in 2017. Eight long years of hurting for the bosses at the French tennis federation and vindication of their decision to give the 22-year-old an invitation to compete in the main draw even though she lies at 361 in the WTA rankings. Boisson was gaining ground on the circuit last year but she twisted the cruciate ligament in her left knee just before the 2024 French Open. She returned to the main circuit three months ago and on her first appearance at the French Open she has gone through four opponents – one in the top 30 and one in the top 10. "Obviously, it's absolutely great for me to have such a run," said Boisson. "I couldn't hope for anything better when I came here."
Bubbly times
Prize money of Lois Boisson before the French Open? 148,000 dollars. Reaching the quarter-finals guarantees her at least 440,000 euros and enough WTA ranking points to get into the biggest tournaments on the circuit. We'll drink to that.
Luck of the draw
Tallon Griekspoor led Alexander Zverev 4-1 in the final set of their third round encounter at the 2024 French Open. But the Dutchman blew his advantage and went down in the 10-point super tiebreaker. A year on, it must have seemed a case of déjà vu for Zverev as Griekspoor raced into a 3-0 lead in their last-16 clash on Court Suzanne Lenglen. But Zverev fought back. He won the opener 6-3 before establishing a 3-0 lead in the second set whereupon his 28-year-old adversary retired with a stomach injury. "You know, he still started off very strong," said a relieved Zverev. "He was up in the first set but I could see he was not serving the normal speeds that he usually serves on the first serve. But from the baseline, you know, still there was some good rallies."
Respect
Up next in the quarter-finals for Alexander Zverev lies a certain Novak Djokovic spurting vim and vigour. "Twelve sets played. Twelve sets won," the 38-year-old Serb gushed after dismantling Cameron Norrie on centre court in two hours and 14 minutes. Djokovic lost some of his all-conquering magic for a while before winning the Geneva Open just before the French Open to conjure up his 100th ATP title. Zverev, who has claimed five of his 13 matches with Djokovic was somewhat startled when a reporter painted Djokovic as a dark horse for the French Open title. "He's never going to be that," spluttered the 27-year-old German. "I mean, the guy has won 24 Grand Slam tournaments. He definitely knows how to play tennis. He definitely knows what it means to be on the big stage and to play big matches." Shazam! Novak's still the man.
