Specifically, I would hypothesize players are encouraged to play aesthetically pleasing tennis (in other countries, I'd guess no issue is made of how good someone looks or doesn't) - and that kind of has an effect mental toughness
@vive le beau jeu ! - may I trouble you for your impressions? Do you think the French place a greater value on style of play than other countries (like Brazil does in football - leaving them a tad fragile compared to some of the more bloody-minded, by hook-or-by-crook cultured teams)
So many fine players or guys with potential to come out of the country - and a disproportionately high number of them with beautiful styles... Leconte, Pioline, Grosjean, Gasquet, even Monfils but they don't take it to the top levels quality wise. My favourite was Guy Forget, who had a powerful but elegant game... I think with his ability, he had potential to be a multi-Slam winner
Yet there he stands with 0 semis, let alone titles
Who is the mentally toughest French player? Are there any notable tough ones in the Open Era? - or after the sport has become much more global?
Pre-Murray Britain and recent USA are different... I didn't/don't see much latent talent there to begin with. A guy like Jeremy Bates was never going to be a world beater, ditto the present American lot
So yes, the plethora of what I'll call "good" French players, almost all of who had a beautiful style... but none of whom set the world alight, is maybe a big odd come to think of it
Good catch... corrected - thanks
