That Roland Garros’ organisers decided to punt an interesting clash off to an outside court so a French player can take the stage at Court Suzanne Lenglen is understandable. And not hard to relate to.
But, when players that are a joy to watch, and a battle nobody expected to end short of four sets at least – Mikhail Kukushkin versus Ernests Gulbis – gets thrown out to a court with no TV coverage so a hitherto unheard of Frenchwoman could serve seven double faults in the straight sets she crashed in could be aired for the sake of a dozen friends and family – the only viewers of that match, undoubtedly – shouts one message out loud to the world.
That French nationalism trumped capitalism.
*Mikhail Kukushkin beat Ernests Gulbis 6-4; 7-6; 5-7; 2-6; 6-4.
** Over the years, it’s become a tradition to eat the summer’s first mango watching the Roland Garros 1st round match that I consider most exciting. The mango, untouched, waits for a promising 2nd round clash now.
