French Open Men's Champions

[Kirijax]

With this upcoming French Open shaping up to be the most wide open tournament in years, it's going to be very interesting to see who walks away with the La Coupe des Mousquetaires this year.

The top four look really shaky right now; Nadal (confidence, back), Djokovic (wrist), Federer (baby, age), Murray (back). Would love to see Nishikori come through and shock everyone to become the first Asian Grand Slam men's champion. After watching Barcelona, it's definitely seems possible.

While we're waiting for it to start, here's a quiz to test your knowledge of the men's champions. You have to name all of the champions from 1968 to 2013 in order. Getting through the 70s was tough.

Name the French Open Men's Champions (Open Era) In Order

Just added the women's version of the quiz if you want to give it a try. Same link.

 

[cc0509]

With this upcoming French Open shaping up to be the most wide open tournament in years, it's going to be very interesting to see who walks away with the La Coupe des Mousquetaires this year.

The top four look really shaky right now; Nadal (confidence, back), Djokovic (wrist), Federer (baby, age), Murray (back). Would love to see Nishikori come through and shock everyone to become the first Asian Grand Slam men's champion. After watching Barcelona, it's definitely seems possible.

What big names did Nishikori have to beat at Barcelona to win the title?

Sure it is possible that Nishikori could win the FO but it is not probable. I would not bank on that one if I were you.

 

[Enigma]

With this upcoming French Open shaping up to be the most wide open tournament in years, it's going to be very interesting to see who walks away with the La Coupe des Mousquetaires this year.

The top four look really shaky right now; Nadal (confidence, back), Djokovic (wrist), Federer (baby, age), Murray (back). Would love to see Nishikori come through and shock everyone to become the first Asian Grand Slam men's champion. After watching Barcelona, it's definitely seems possible.

While we're waiting for it to start, here's a quiz to test your knowledge of the men's champions. You have to name all of the champions from 1968 to 2013 in order. Getting through the 70s was tough.

Name the French Open Men's Champions (Open Era) In Order

Sorry about messing your Men's Year End Top 4 quiz

 

[Kirijax]

What big names did Nishikori have to beat at Barcelona to win the title?

Sure it is possible that Nishikori could win the FO but it is not probable. I would not bank on that one if I were you.

True. Can't argue with that. Will be interesting to see him go up against them at the French though.

 

[Mustard]

That quiz is impossible to do when the 2000 French Open champion is listed as "Gastavo Kuerten".

 

[Kirijax]

That quiz is impossible to do when the 2000 French Open champion is listed as "Gastavo Kuerten".

Thanks for the note. Fixed it. Just typing in the last name will do it though.

 

[FreeBird]

Nishikori will be a dark horse. Nothing more than that.

Nadal may lose in 2nd round of both Madrid and Rome but still he would be the favorite at RG(not overwhelming).

But, rise of Nishikori, Dimitrov, Fognini and Dolgo has made RG interesting and not just a two-horse race as was anticipated earlier.
I am more concerned about performance of Nishikori in Rome and Madrid. If he somehow digs deep in one of them (a SF), he has a real shot at rising to No. 9 in rankings before RG, thus getting rewarded with No. 8 seed due to absence of Delpo and hence avoiding Top 4 till QF.

 

[Kirijax]

Nishikori will be a dark horse. Nothing more than that.

Nadal may lose in 2nd round of both Madrid and Rome but still he would be the favorite at RG(not overwhelming).

But, rise of Nishikori, Dimitrov, Fognini and Dolgo has made RG interesting and not just a two-horse race as was anticipated earlier.
I am more concerned about performance of Nishikori in Rome and Madrid. If he somehow digs deep in one of them (a SF), he has a real shot at rising to No. 9 in rankings before RG, thus getting rewarded with No. 8 seed due to absence of Delpo and hence avoiding Top 4 till QF.

Just hoping he doesn't get injured before then. The man is a walking egg shell.

 

[Mustard]

Thanks for the note. Fixed it. Just typing in the last name will do it though.

Is it your quiz? If so, my apologies for not being more subtle

 

[Kirijax]

Is it your quiz? If so, my apologies for not being more subtle

Haha, no worries. Thanks for the heads up. Just spelling Li Na correctly is a triumph for me.

 

[iTennis]

Would love to see Nishikori come through and shock everyone to become the first Asian Grand Slam men's champion.

Name the French Open Men's Champions (Open Era) In Order

His coach, Michael Chang won FO in 1989... so Kei will be the second Asian man!

 

[Def]

His coach, Michael Chang won FO in 1989... so Kei will be the second Asian man!

Chang is considered from the U.S as he was born and raised in the U.S. even though is he of Asian descent.

 

[Kirijax]

Just added the women's version if you want to give it a try.

Name the French Open Women's Champions (Open Era) In Order

 

[stringertom]

Nishikori will be a dark horse. Nothing more than that.

Nadal may lose in 2nd round of both Madrid and Rome but still he would be the favorite at RG(not overwhelming).

But, rise of Nishikori, Dimitrov, Fognini and Dolgo has made RG interesting and not just a two-horse race as was anticipated earlier.
I am more concerned about performance of Nishikori in Rome and Madrid. If he somehow digs deep in one of them (a SF), he has a real shot at rising to No. 9 in rankings before RG, thus getting rewarded with No. 8 seed due to absence of Delpo and hence avoiding Top 4 till QF.

You mention a rise of players and omit the only player with both a slam and a MS1000 title this year??? Both of those are first-time achievements for him so I'd say he is the top dog on any rising list.

 

[FreeBird]

I now consider him an elite but then I forgot that I had written two horse race.

 

[spinovic]

What big names did Nishikori have to beat at Barcelona to win the title?

Sure it is possible that Nishikori could win the FO but it is not probable. I would not bank on that one if I were you.

I would be in complete and utter shock if Nishikori could physically make it through two weeks and seven matches of five set tennis at RG. Whether he has the game is irrelevant to me at this point. Until he proves he can stay healthy, I have a hard time seeing him as anything more than a potential one off upset in a slam.

 

[Steve0904]

I would be in complete and utter shock if Nishikori could physically make it through two weeks and seven matches of five set tennis at RG. Whether he has the game is irrelevant to me at this point. Until he proves he can stay healthy, I have a hard time seeing him as anything more than a potential one off upset in a slam.

This is basically what I think as well. Hope he proves me wrong though because I like him.

 

[Kirijax]

Imagine the uproar if he beats Nadal in the quarters, only to withdraw from his semi with Federer.

 

[Kirijax]

Sorry about messing your Men's Year End Top 4 quiz

Haha No worries.

 

[clayqueen]

The top four look really shaky right now; Nadal (confidence, back), Djokovic (wrist), Federer (baby, age), Murray (back).

Last time I looked the top 4 were Nadal, Djokovic, Wawrinka and Federer.

 

[xFedal]

Am betting on Djokovic to win Nadal is even more vulnerable than last year!

 

[Kirijax]

Ready for a new French Open Champion. The La Coupe des Mousquetaires has enough of Nadal's bite marks on it.

Name the French Open Champions in Order

 

[jhhachamp]

But, rise of Nishikori, Dimitrov, Fognini and Dolgo has made RG interesting and not just a two-horse race as was anticipated earlier.

Those players have had good results, but Wawrinka and Federer have had better, more impressive results and should be seen as greater threats outside of the top 2 than any of those players.

 

[clayqueen]

Am betting on Djokovic to win Nadal is even more vulnerable than last year!

Nadal is more vulnerable than last year????? He couldn't stop winning last year. It was Nole who was being beaten left right and centre.

 

[Djokovic2011]

Nadal is more vulnerable than last year????? He couldn't stop winning last year. It was Nole who was being beaten left right and centre.

"left right and centre"? He only lost 9 matches all year!

 

[kOaMaster]

Imo, this quiz definitely shows that a grand slam title historically is much much less worth than being #1...

 

[Kirijax]

There are always those surprise winners like Gaudio in '04. It would be fun to see one of those again this year.

 

[norbac]

Isn't pretty much every Grand Slam for the past 5 years "the most wide open in years"?

 

[Kirijax]

Seems like its been the opposite. Only 3 or four players have had a chance to win one. Now it seems that the others have a chance.

 

[clayqueen]

"left right and centre"? He only lost 9 matches all year!

Nadal only lost 7 matches!

 

[Djokovic2011]

Nadal only lost 7 matches!

So what? I was responding to your post about Djokovic losing "left right and centre" which he clearly didn't. I never even mentioned Nadal. Obsessed much?

 

[Backspin1183]

2014 French Open champion: Novak Djokovic of Serbia!!!




and Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland

+ Ferrer of Spain.

 

[Kirijax]

Would be hilarious if Murray came out of nowhere to win the French. This clay season has been kind of nuts so anything is possible.

 

[Mainad]

Would be hilarious if Murray came out of nowhere to win the French. This clay season has been kind of nuts so anything is possible.

Boy, that's the kind of hilarity I would enjoy the best!

 

[Kirijax]

Boy, that's the kind of hilarity I would enjoy the best!

I would LOVE to see that! A French-Wimbledon double whammy for Murray would be great to see!