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Tyson vs. Holyfield in the French Open? Young guns Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are building the type of excitement that has the tennis world begging for more. Even though the they won’t call it a rivalry, a Federer-Nadal match up is what the public pays to see.
The Switzerland native, Federer, was the top ranked player heading into both the 2006 and '07 French Opens and was a semi finalist in ‘05. He has won three Australian Grand Slam Opens (’04, ‘06, ’07), four-straight Wimbledon titles (’03-’06) and three-straight US Open championships (’04-’06). All of that, and Federer is still in his mid-twenties.
It has been the Spain-born Nadal that has recently dominated the French Open, however. Surprisingly, Nadal was ranked second to Federer heading into both the ’06 and '07 Opens despite having a dominating record against the Swiss native. Barely past his teens, Nadal is a tennis marvel and has only competed professionally since ‘03. Nadal has 21 career singles titles, including four in ’06 and has won the last three French Opens.
Justine Henin-Hardenne has dominated the woman’s side of things at the French Open much like Nadal has for the men’s. Henin-Hardenne won her third straight Open in ’07 and fourth in five years by defeating Ana Ivanovic 6-1, 6-2. The Belgian was the highest ranked women’s player heading into the ’07 Open, putting her ahead of Maria Sharapova, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Amelie Mauresmo.
The French Open is always held two weeks between mid May and early June in Paris, France, and is the second of the Grand Slam tournaments on the annual tennis calendar. It is the premier clay court tennis tournament in the world. For more information on the tournament and to relive past Opens, check out our web guide below.
Top Information Websites
Tennis.com
The offical website of Tennis Magazine. The site offers tennis news, professional and college updates, instruction, gear and links.
Sporting Life Tennis
Sporting Life Tennis website provides news stories, profiles and results.
ESPN.com Tennis
ESPN.com’s official tennis web page.
TennisTours.com
Source for tennis news, player stories and overall entertainment.
FOX Sports.com Tennis
FOX Sports.com page gives you news stories, photos and rankings for both the ATP and WTA.
Relive Past French Opens
2007
King of Clay: Nadal denies Federer again
For the second time in two years, Rafael Nadal defeats top-ranked Roger Federer on the clay surface of the French Open. The victory marked Nadal's third-straight Open title.
2006
Nadal faces down Federer to defend crown
One is nice, two is better in the case of Rafael Nadal as the Spaniard defeats Roger Federer to win back-to-back French Open titles.
Magnificent Henin-Hardenne wins third title
Belgium’s Justine Henin-Hardenne wins back-to-back French Open titles and her third in four years.
2005
Teen Nadal gives Spain reign over French Open
Two days after celebrating his 19th birthday, Rafael Nadal defeats Roger Federer to win his first-ever French Open championship.
Henin wraps up French Open title
Justine Henin-Hardenne wins her second French Open title in just three years in ‘05.
2004
Gaudio shocked at triumph
From unseeded participant to champion, Gaston Gaudio from Argentina wins the ’04 French Open.
Myskina takes French title
Anastasia Muskina crushes fellow compatriot Elena Dementieva in ’04 to become the first Russian woman to win a Grand Slam title.
2003
King of Clay
One year after losing to Albert Costa in the finals, Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain wins the ’03 French Open for his first victory in a Grand Slam final.
Henin-Hardenne clobbers Clijsters for French title
Justine Henin-Hardenne wins her first French title in ’03 with a crushing defeat over Kim Clijsters.
2002
Costa dominates Ferrero early
In the biggest victory of his career, Albert Costa defeats Juan Carlos Ferrero in the ’02 French Open.
Serena finally won when it counted
Serena Williams beats a familiar foe in the ’02 French Open.
2001
Tres magnifique!
Gustavo Kuerten wins his second-straight French Open title and his third overall with in ’01.
Still slammin’
American Jennifer Capriati defeats Kim Clijsters of Belgium in ’01 for her first French Open title.
2000
Kuerten upsets Norman in men’s final
Gustavo Kuerten notches his second French Open title in ’00, defeating Mangus Norman in an upset.
Pierce tops Martinez in straight sets
Mary Pierce becomes the first Frenchwoman since Francoise Durr in 1967 to win the French Open at Roland Garros.
French Open Winners
Year |
Men |
Women |
2007 |
Rafael Nadal |
Justine Henin-Hardenne |