Well, I've watched a full weeks worth of the French Open tennis tournament and I haven't wrote a post about it yet, but that's about to change. As with any other major tennis tournament, great humanist interest stories abound. I want to talk about one that others aren't buzzing about—a guy named Fabrice Santoro. He's a 33 year-old player from France who is currently ranked number 51 in the world. He's never been ranked higher than number 17, and he probably never will be.
He's one of the most unorthodox players I've ever seen. He hits a two-handed backhand and a two-handed forehand. He cuts and slices at the ball from both sides and his shots often appear to be trick shots—but they are all he knows, and he's found a way to make his style work. But regardless of his style, the guy has heart. Over the years, I've seen him push some of the best players in the world to their limit, simply because he wouldn't quit.
Last year, in the U.S. Open, Santoro seemed to have eventual tournament winner Federer baffled at times when they played him in the second round. Federer won the match 7-5, 7-5, 7-6, but Santoro gained the respect of fans all over the world for his efforts—especially in the third set when he could have easily given up after getting down two sets to love.
Last week, Santoro lost in the first round on the Roland Garros clay at the French Open. Santoro lost to the number 26 seed, Jose Acasuso, but Acasuso found out what Federer and so many other players already know—Santoro doesn't go down easily. Acasuso won the first two sets easily, 6-3, 6-1. Santoro dug deep and won the third set 6-3, and then the fourth set 6-1. So they headed to the fifth and final set to decide the match. Acasuso eventually won the fifth set 11-9 in thrilling fashion.
Santoro has won four ATP single's titles in his career and he has a career record of 405-375. He's also won 19 ATP double's titles. So, it's not like the guy doesn't know how to win. But he doesn't have the weapons to compete with the top players. But seeing how hard he competes anyway makes me a huge fan of Santoro. Marat Safin, a former number one player in the world, hates to see Santoro's name next to his in the draw. He once said this about Santoro: "being told I would play Santoro was being told I was to die." Safin has good reason to hate playing against Santoro. Santoro is 7-2 lifetime against him.
