Any tennis fans want to make any French Open predictions?

It's still about a month away, but I think I can honestly say there will not be an American hoisting either the men's or women's trophy.

None of the women appear to be up for it--Lindsay's game isn't suited for clay, nor is Serena's, and Venus looks god-awful these days. Don't know if Jennifer Capriati will even play. Could be an all-Belgian women's final again--both Justine and Kim won't be ranked (maybe they will be by that time, but pretty low). Not sure if any of the Russian women will win--most of their games aren't suited for clay either. Could be someboyd nobody's heard of. I've given up thinking Mauresemo will ever wina big one--last year was her year, and she blew it.

As for them men, Roddick will go out early. Not sure about Federer--his game holds up ok on clay, but all those damn Brazilain men! Gotta be one of those--like Nadal, Coria or maybe Gaudio again.

Any comments?

wouldn't surprise me if The Worst Thing ABout The Worst City In The Worst State Of Australia got up for this one.

Don't think he has the game for clay.

but he has a new missus and he is all fired up.

...finals at the US Open, Australia, the year-ending championship. He's up there, but there always seems to be someone else who is just a little more "on" during the big tournaments.

the big players have worked him out. His main weapon is his guts and "never say die" spirit. That alone doesn't win you majors.

focused and never quits, but there are others with more talent, and the odds are against Leyton that at least one won't be as focused as he is.

probably all Belgian and that would be fine with me. I like them both. As for the men, who knows? Lots of great players but nobody seems to be really stable right now except Federer.

before. There's some Belgian guy--Olivier Rochus (not sure if I got the name right) who did ok at the US Open last year. He's only about 5-6, and is dwarfed by all the other men, but does have a good game. Wouldn't mind seeing him do well--he's really the underdog in more ways than one!

Marat Safin, but he's been in a huge funk
lately.

he seems to be--once again--totally unfocused.

Federer can win no matter what surface he's on. I think Hewitt's style and fitness give him a great chance to go far. I don't see any American men making it past the quarters this year. Nadal looks like he finally has the experience to go with his talent, although a grand slam event is a different beast than a regular tournament. My money would be on Federer, Hewitt, or one of the Latin players - Ferrero, Nadal, Nalbandian, Coria, Gaudio, etc. No one person really leaps out so far.

For the women, I think the Belgians will make a deep run. They're finally healthy again, and look to be in good form. Serena is probably the best bet for the American women. Like the Latin players on the men's side, any of the Russians on the ladies side could step up and win it. I think there's a lot more parity this year, and think it will be a Belgian vs. a Russian in the final.

seeded. Neither is ranked right now because of all their time off. Not sure if they would be in the same bracket--they could meet early on.

Still haven't heard anything about Capriati. Federer is injured, and I'm not sure how serious that is.

Although I still hold out hope for her.

Men: Marat Safin or Roger Federer
Women: Justine Henin-Hardenne

...last year really was her year.

That really sucks that she got blown out. The last few years, if it weren't for Serena, she'd already have a title or two. Hopefully, she'll at least make it through the quarters at the French.

thought she would win it--anyway, it always seems like the person who does well right before the French DOESN'T end up winning it. This could be a good sign for her? :shrug: