It’s Not ‘So Last Year’ in Paris

Even the most dazed and confused traveler could not miss the images of defending French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium at the subway stop at Porte d’Auteuil, a short stroll away from Roland Garros.

It almost looked like Henin-Hardenne wallpaper, Adidas-style, with the slogan: “Impossible Is Nothing.” But she wasn’t the only champion carving out an imposing presence in Paris in the lead-up weekend to the French Open, which starts here today.

On Saturday, 2002 French winner Serena Williams was at her media event on the Right Bank, a glitzy affair at the Park Hyatt-Vendome, promoting her new Nike outfit, telling reporters, of the apparel company: “They understand I don’t want to look mediocre.”

And so, it’s Nike vs. Adidas. Former No. 1 vs. current No. 1.

Although No. 1-seeded Henin-Hardenne and No. 2-seeded Serena Williams can’t meet before the final, a potential rematch of last year’s controversial semifinal is among the compelling story lines in Paris.

The vociferous pro-Henin-Hardenne crowd was only one of the components of contention. Henin-Hardenne, who won in three sets, faced questions about a perceived lack of sportsmanship, occurring when Williams was serving. Afterward, a teary Williams said that Henin-Hardenne was “lying and fabricating” for not admitting she called time when Williams was hitting a first serve. Williams hit a fault and was not given another first serve.

Much has happened to Williams and Henin-Hardenne since that day. Williams came back to win the Wimbledon title a few weeks later, in July, temporarily putting the French loss in her rearview mirror.

“I had to, or else I wouldn’t have been able to come back and win Wimbledon,” she said Sunday in a news conference. “I would still be stuck in that moment. You’ve got to be able to move forward.”

That has been problematic. Williams has not played in a Grand Slam match since Wimbledon in July because of knee surgery Aug. 1 and a lengthy rehabilitation. Williams will play Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic in the first round Tuesday and could face No. 7-seeded Jennifer Capriati in the quarterfinals and her older sister Venus in the semifinals. Venus said that she was doing OK, in regard to her injured left ankle, which forced her to default before the final in Berlin.

Henin-Hardenne, who starts today against wild-card entrant Sandrine Testud of France in the first match on Court Philippe Chatrier, was able to avoid questions about last year’s semifinal because of more immediate concerns, namely a lingering virus that had threatened her participation here.

“A few weeks ago, it would seem impossible for me to come here and play in Paris,” said Henin-Hardenne, who resumed practicing about three weeks ago. “I’m in the tournament. That’s the most important thing right now.”

Her long absence has lessened the usual pressure and expectations. Plus, four other women have made impressive stands on clay this spring. Venus Williams has won two titles on clay, as has Amelie Mauresmo. Lindsay Davenport has won a title and reached the final at Strasbourg, France, on Saturday, losing to Claudine Schaul of Luxembourg.

Additionally, Capriati has come back from the abyss -- again. She suffered through a mediocre season -- losing to the likes of Eleni Daniilidou of Greece and Petra Mandula of Hungary. But she has revived her game on clay in the last month after hiring Heinz Gunthardt, the former coach of Steffi Graf. Under his guidance, she reached the final in Rome, losing to Mauresmo after holding a match point.

“We really don’t talk about things he did with her [Graf] because we’re just two totally different players,” Capriati said. “I don’t wake up at 6 in the morning to go practice, that’s for sure.”

But, oddly, she said the agreement was short term, and, for now, just through the French Open.

“We’re taking it one at a time basically,” Capriati said. “Just getting a different perspective and seeing things a little bit differently. Maybe when you’re used to hearing the same thing over and over, it doesn’t really register anymore.”

This does not mean that the role of her father, Stefano, will be greatly diminished as a coaching influence. Stefano Capriati said he is on his way to Paris for the tournament.

“The role my dad will play is being my dad, of course, always,” said Capriati who will play Yulia Beygelzimer of Ukraine in the first round.

“It’s not like I’m not going to let him say anything about my tennis. He’ll just stand by, I guess.”