Bruno “Mr. Clay” Salstan and team work tirelessly with crushed red brick to ensure color consistency, in rain, wind and sun. What they do with clay is artistry and their demands for perfection creates one of the most unique venues in all of sport. Bow down and get your knees dirty. These clay experts are the grounds crew gods
As we head into Paris, the French people are feeling good right now. The country rejected a Nazi sympathizer in its Presidential race. They also rejected Maria Sharapova’s request for a Wild Card into the tournament. I should feel bad, but I don’t like Maria so I don’t. #jesuispetty
And let’s not forget the heart of European fashion. Can’t wait to see all the kits from Nike, Uniqlo, and RompHim.
Alexander Zverev Jr.
To be a NextGen ATP star, you have to be 21 or younger and ranked in the top 200. Alexander, nicknamed Sascha(!), just celebrated his 20 and ranked 17 in the world. At 6’6″ tall, the young German could be just a boring-ass serve-machine a la Milos Raonic (snore) or John Isner (more snore), but his game is well-rounded and he has three titles to his name this year, including beating Novak Djkovich on Sunday in the Italian Open on clay.
Rome is Master 100 tourney and this latest win pushed Sascha into the Top 10. Sascha has great placement and plays with pace. And he’s hot AF. With Russian parents and a name like Sascha, I’m picking up major Shura vibes. Hey Sascha, heyyyyy.
Tennis the main subject of this pic: #Zverev #sixpack #ibi17 pic.twitter.com/VUIiVTyGMw
— Monique Filippella (@ziamiki) May 16, 2017
This is how the #NextGenATP 🌟 won his first ATP Masters 1000 crown….
Zverev beats Djokovic 6-4 6-4 👏#ibi17 pic.twitter.com/kAA6a1jm6t
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 21, 2017
Novak Djokovic
This year, Novak is struggling. He lost his number 1 ATP ranking; he recently fired his entire team, including coach Boris Becker. He has only nabbed one title in 2017—the Doha 250 tourney, played on hard courts. And that was back in January. What is going on with Novak? Probably life. Life is a pain in the ass sometimes, and this season is proving that the most bendy and fit guy in tennis is human.
Novak has brought one of the greatest players of all time, Andre Agassi, to be his coach for the French. Andre could help Novak with his mental toughness. Like Andre, Novak doesn’t have a huge weapon, but his stamina and ability to grind is what made him number 1.
Did I write some slashfic about this pic of Novak and Sasha following the Rome final? Peut-être.
Rafael Nadal
That’s Rafa carrying the Spanish flag at the Rio Olympics last summer. I am a sucker for men in red pants.
If Rafa wins the 2017 French Open, that will be his 10th French title. Rafa can slay all day on the clay. This season he has won Madrid, Barcelona, and Monte Carlo–all clay tournaments. He has not won Roland-Garros–or any Slam–since 2014, but we can blame that on wrist injuries, appendicitis, and old-ass knees (this is a legit medical term).
Ranked #4 in the wold, Rafa is the favorite to win Rolland-Garros. Rafa lost in the semis of Rome, but let’s be glass half full and say that gives Rafa a little extra rest before Paris. Andy Murray, current world #1, cannot move. Novak is in a weird head space, and Roger Federer is skipping the clay to focus on that grass and hard court seasons. Odds makers are picking Rafa.
On the left is my doubles partner, Kristi, who ran into Rafa last month in Barcelona. #jelly! The first thing I asked her was, “What does Rafa smell like?”
Marc Lopez and Feliciano Lopez
Doubles! It doesn’t get a lot of attention on ESPN or Tennis Channel, but doubles is fun to watch, especially since it’s the game most of us amateur hackers play.
The two Spaniards have made a great pairing and they are the defending Roland-Garros Men’s Doubles Champions. Feli’s booming serve and Marc’s quick hands and lobs make them a great match. The best part of watching these guys is they are having so much fun together! Tennis is fun! (Yes, I’m looking at you Andy “Grumpy Pants” Murray.)
Fabio Fognini
When Fabio is in the right head space and wants to play well, he can ruin any player on the tour. He spanked Andy Murray in Rome last week, 6-2, 6-4. Andy didn’t help his cause by telling everyone with ears that he can’t move. Fabio took full advantage and drop-shot the shit out of him.
https://twitter.com/plavandoski/status/864847719944376324
Fabio is married to Flavia Pennetta (U.S. Open Singles Champion 2015), and last week they welcomed their first baby, a boy they named Federico. Congratulazioni!
Tutti a casina 😍😍😍 Un nuovo inizio per NOI 3!!!! F❤️F❤️ F❤️ @fabiofogna pic.twitter.com/yH1sGr09Ks
— Flavia Pennetta (@flavia_pennetta) May 21, 2017
Juan Martin Del Porto
Juan Martin is the lovable giant from Argentina. Wrist surgery in 2015 completely altered Delpo’s backhand, forcing him to move from a killer two-handed to a one-handed, now using it more for slice instead of power and precision. But this clay season, he has slowly been testing out the two-handed backhand. It doesn’t have the power it used to—it might never again—but it gives Delpo another shot in his arsenal. It should be noted his flat forehand is still a huge weapon.
Anyone else got that #FridayFeeling? 💃😄#ibi17 pic.twitter.com/rS88P0Qs12
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 19, 2017
It might sound treacly, but Delpo is just happy to be back playing again. They thought of retiring early made him hella depressed, and you can tell from his smile and goofiness on the court, he is in his happy place.
This article is dedicated to Sam Evans, one of my favorite pros at the International Tennis Hall of Fame (sorry, Rick). Sam keeps asking for a Hot Guys of Tennis post, and now she can get off of my jock. Love you, Sammy!
