Federer bids again to complete Roger Slam

For all of Roger Federer’s titles at Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and the Australian Open -- and there are 10, and counting -- his career very well may be defined eventually by how he fared at the French Open.

Federer is well aware of that. It’s why he tweaked his schedule and his practice routine in the months before heading to Paris. It’s why he ratcheted up his commitment to fitness training, knowing what a grind playing on red clay can be.

“There’s more focus on the French Open, and it would be just so nice to win it,” Federer said, “so I’m going to give myself the best possible chance.”

He also knows that his success elsewhere might in a way be a result of his lack of success in the past at Roland Garros, where the year’s second Grand Slam tournament begins today. Pretty much everyone expects to see Federer face two-time defending champion Rafael Nadal in the men’s final, just like last year.

And just like last year, Federer heads to the French Open hoping to complete a career Grand Slam and a non-calendar Grand Slam.

Turn back the calendar to May 26, 2003, when Federer was an up-and-comer at the French Open. He was 21, seeded fifth, and word was spreading that he was a talented, all-court player who could challenge consistently for major titles.

“I remember going into the tournament feeling so confident,” Federer said, “going like, ‘I could win this thing. I’m playing so well at the moment.’ ”

What happened? He fell in straight sets in the first round to Luis Horna, a Peruvian ranked 88th at the time.

“I lost the first set and thought, ‘There’s no chance I’m coming back in this match.’ And if I do, with seven matches to play, there’s no way I’m going to win the French Open. All of a sudden, within 45 minutes, my whole dreams were shattered,” Federer recalled. “I was so weak mentally.”

It was a significant turning point.

“I had to toughen up a bit, you know? It was just one of those moments when I finally realized I have to still change a few things,” Federer continued. “Because I thought I had everything figured out by then. But I didn’t.”

Sure seems to now, though.

Since that disappointment in 2003, Federer has won 10 of the last 15 majors -- going 93-5 in matches in those Grand Slam tournaments.

If he can win the French Open, it would be his fourth consecutive major championship, something only Don Budge in 1938 and Rod Laver in 1962 and 1969 have accomplished (although they did it within a calendar year). It also would make Federer the sixth man to have won each of tennis’ top tournaments at least once. And it would put him on track for a true Grand Slam, given that he’s won Wimbledon the last four years and the U.S. Open the last three.

By reaching the June 10 final, Federer would play in his eighth major title match in a row, something no man has done. Not Laver. Not Pete Sampras. Not Bjorn Borg. No one.

As no less an authority than Andre Agassi put it: “We’re watching history in the making.”

And yet, because Federer’s attacking flair is somewhat dulled by the slowness of the clay, he’s had far more trouble at Roland Garros than Melbourne Park, the All England Club or Flushing Meadows.

“To me, if he’s going to win the French, it’s going to have to be real soon: this year, next year,” said John McEnroe, whose collection of seven major titles doesn’t include the French Open. “He’s not a natural clay-court player. He’s an all-around player. So it’s somewhere where I think there’s a sense of urgency.”

If there are those who ponder whether all of the victories and accolades and millions in endorsement deals and exhibition matches against the likes of Nadal or Sampras might have softened Federer’s resolve, his agent provides a simple response.

“He’s still massively hungry,” Tony Godsick said.

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

The year’s second Grand Slam tournament starts today at Roland Garros in Paris:

* Schedule: For the second year in a row, the tournament is 15 days, with play beginning on a Sunday instead of Monday. The women’s singles final is June 9, the men’s singles final is June 10.

* 2006 men’s singles champion: Rafael Nadal of Spain.

* 2006 women’s singles champion: Justine Henin of Belgium.

* No. 1-ranked man: Roger Federer of Switzerland, bidding to complete non-calendar and career Grand Slams by winning a fourth consecutive major title. No man has held all four major titles simultaneously since Rod Laver in 1969.

* No. 1-ranked woman: Henin, who like Nadal is trying for a third French Open championship in a row.

* Prize money: For the first time, men and women will receive equal prize money throughout the tournament. At the current exchange rate, the total is about $20.53 million (15.265 million euros), with about $1.345 million (1 million euros) each to the men’s and women’s singles champions.

* TV: Channel 4, ESPN2, Tennis Channel.

Eight Men To Watch

Rankings in parentheses:

ROGER FEDERER (1)

* Age: 25

* Country: Switzerland

* 2007 match record: 24-4

* 2007 singles titles: 3

* Career singles titles: 48

* Major titles: 10 -- Wimbledon (‘03, ‘04, ‘05, ‘06), U.S. Open (‘04, ‘05, ‘06), Australian Open (‘04, ‘06, ‘07)

* Last five French Opens: ‘06-Lost in Final, ‘05-Lost in Semifinals, ‘04-Lost in 3rd Round, ‘03-Lost in 1st Round, ‘02-Lost in 1st Round

* Topspin: Only Grand Slam tournament he hasn’t won.... Like last year at Roland Garros, is bidding for non-calendar and career Grand Slams.... Would be first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win four consecutive major titles, and only sixth man with at least one title at each major.

RAFAEL NADAL (2)

* Age: 20 (21 on June 3)

* Country: Spain

* 2007 match record: 36-6

* 2007 singles titles: 4

* Career singles titles: 21

* Major titles: 2 -- French Open (‘05, ‘06)

* Last five French Opens: ‘06-Won Championship, ‘05-Won Championship, ‘04-Did Not Play, ‘03-DNP, ‘02-DNP

* Topspin: Trying to become second man to win three consecutive French Open titles; Bjorn Borg won four in a row from 1978-81.... Won 81 straight matches on clay -- the longest winning streak on any surface -- until loss to Federer at Hamburg.

ANDY RODDICK (3)

* Age: 24

* Country: United States

* 2007 match record: 24-7

* 2007 singles titles: 0

* Career singles titles: 21

* Major titles: 1 -- U.S. Open (‘03)

* Last five French Opens: ‘06-1st, ‘05-2nd, ‘04-2nd, ‘03-1st, ‘02-1st

* Topspin: Hasn’t won consecutive matches at Roland Garros since 2001.... Last year, quit with an ankle injury after losing first two sets.... Clay dulls the sting of his two most effective tools, first serve and forehand.

FERNANDO GONZALEZ (5)

* Age: 26

* Country: Chile

* 2007 match record: 18-9

* 2007 singles titles: 0

* Career singles titles: 7

* Major titles: 0 -- Best Finish: F, at Australian Open in ’07

* Last five French Opens: ‘06-2nd, ‘05-3rd, ‘04-1st, ‘03-QF, ‘02-3rd

* Topspin: Made major breakthrough with runner-up finish to Federer at Australian Open this year. First time past the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC (6) R

* Age: 20

* Country: Serbia

* 2007 match record: 35-8

* 2007 singles titles: 3

* Career singles titles: 5

* Major titles: 0 -- Best Finish: QF, at French Open in ’06

* Last five French Opens: ‘06-QF, ‘05-2nd, ‘04-DNP, ‘03-DNP, ‘02-DNP

* Topspin: Half of his losses this season were to Federer or Nadal.... Breaks opponent’s serve 35% of the time, tied with Nadal for second on tour.

JAMES BLAKE (8)

* Age: 27

* Country: United States

* 2007 match record: 21-10

* 2007 singles titles: 1

* Career singles titles: 9

* Major titles: 0 -- Best Finish: QF, at U.S. Open in ‘05, ’06

* Last five French Opens: ‘06-3rd, ‘05-2nd, ‘04-DNP, ‘03-2nd, ‘02-2nd

* Topspin: Hasn’t won a tournament match over anyone ranked better than 40th this season (best victory came over top-10 Tommy Robredo in Davis Cup).... Was last U.S. man left in French Open last year.

RICHARD GASQUET (13)

* Age: 20

* Country: France

* 2007 match record: 24-11

* 2007 singles titles: 0

* Career singles titles: 4

* Major titles: 0 -- Best Finish: 4th Round, four times

* Last five French Opens: ‘06-2nd, ‘05-3rd, ‘04-1st, ‘03-1st, ‘02-1st

* Topspin: Smooth game gives locals hope for first homegrown French Open champion since Yannick Noah in 1983.

GUILLERMO CANAS (22)

* Age: 29

* Country: Argentina

* 2007 match record: 22-8

* 2007 singles titles: 1

* Career singles titles: 7

* Major titles: 0 -- Best Finish: QF, at French Open in ‘02, ’05

* Last five French Opens: ‘06-DNP, ‘05-QF, ‘04-1st, ‘03-DNP, ‘02-QF

* Topspin: Handed Federer his first two losses this season, at Indian Wells and the Miami Masters.... Served 15-month steroid suspension in 2005-06.

Eight Women To Watch

Rankings in parentheses:

JUSTINE HENIN (1)

* Age: 24 (25 on June 1)

* Country: Belgium

* 2007 match record: 22-3

* 2007 singles titles: 3

* Career singles titles: 32

* Major titles: 5 -- French Open (‘03, ‘05, ‘06), U.S. Open (‘03), Australian Open (‘04)

* Last five French Opens: ‘06-Won Championship, ‘05-Won Championship, ‘04-Lost in 2nd Round, ‘03-Won Championship, ‘02-Lost in 1st Round

* Topspin: Attempting to become the first woman to win three consecutive French Open titles since Monica Seles in 1990-92.

MARIA SHARAPOVA (2)

* Age: 20

* Country: Russia

* 2007 match record: 13-4 (playing this week at Istanbul)

* 2007 singles titles: 0

* Career singles titles: 15

* Major titles: 2 -- Wimbledon (‘04), U.S. Open (‘06)

* Last five French Opens: ‘06-4th, ‘05-QF, ‘04-QF, ‘03-1st, ‘02-Did Not Play

* Topspin: Semifinalist or better at eight of her previous 11 majors, including two titles.... French Open is lone Grand Slam tournament where she’s never reached the semifinals.

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA (3)

* Age: 21

* Country: Russia

* 2007 match record: 28-10

* 2007 singles titles: 0

* Career singles titles: 8

* Major titles: 1 -- U.S. Open (‘04)

* Last five French Opens: ‘06-Lost in Final, ‘05-4th, ‘04-4th, ‘03-1st, ‘02-DNP

* Topspin: One of three players to beat Henin this season, and it came on clay.

JELENA JANKOVIC (4)

* Age: 22

* Country: Serbia

* 2007 match record: 39-10 (playing this week at Strasbourg)

* 2007 singles titles: 3

* Career singles titles: 4

* Major titles: 0 -- Best Finish: SF, at U.S. Open in ’06

* Last five French Opens: ‘06-3rd, ‘05-1st, ‘04-1st, ‘03-DNP, ‘02-DNP

* Topspin: Tied with Henin for most titles on tour this season.... Won Italian Open title on clay this month without dropping a set, beating Kuznetsova in final.

AMELIE MAURESMO (5)

* Age: 27

* Country: France

* 2007 match record: 15-6 (playing this week at Strasbourg)

* 2007 singles titles: 1

* Career singles titles: 14

* Major titles: 2 -- Wimbledon (‘06), Australian Open (‘06)

* Last five French Opens: ‘06-4th, ‘05-3rd, ‘04-QF, ‘03-QF, ‘02-4th

* Topspin: Missed nearly two months after having an appendectomy in March.... Broke through with two Grand Slam titles last season.

NICOLE VAIDISOVA (7)

* Age: 18

* Country: Czech Republic

* 2007 match record: 17-6

* 2007 singles titles: 0

* Career singles titles: 6

* Major titles: 0 -- Best Finish: SF, at French Open in ‘06, Australian Open in ’07

* Last five French Opens: ‘06-SF, ‘05-2nd, ‘04-DNP, ‘03-DNP, ‘02-DNP

* Topspin: Pulled out of clay-court tuneup tournaments in Berlin, Rome and Strasbourg (where she was defending champion) because of a nagging right wrist injury.

SERENA WILLIAMS (9)

* Age: 25

* Country: United States

* 2007 match record: 18-3

* 2007 singles titles: 2

* Career singles titles: 28

* Major titles: 8 -- French Open (‘03), Wimbledon (‘02, ‘03), U.S. Open (‘99, ‘02), Australian Open (‘03, ‘05, ‘07)

* Last five French Opens: ‘06-DNP, ‘05-DNP, ‘04-QF, ‘03-SF, ‘02-W

* Topspin: Returns to French Open for first time since 2004. Missed it last year with a knee injury, and in 2005 with an ankle injury.... Climbed back into top 10 in rankings after entering the Austra- lian Open at No. 81, then winning it.

VENUS WILLIAMS (29)

* Age: 26

* Country: United States

* 2007 match record: 19-5

* 2007 singles titles: 1

* Career singles titles: 34

* Major titles: 5 -- Wimbledon (‘00, ‘01, ‘05), U.S. Open (‘00, ‘01)

* Last five French Opens: ‘06-QF,’05-3rd, ‘04-QF, ‘03-4th, ‘02-F

* Topspin: In 10 previous appearances at Roland Garros, only once made it past the quarterfinals, losing to younger sister Serena in the ’02 final.... Missed the last two majors because of injuries.

Associated Press