South Africa’s tennis trio to step into the French Open unknown
South Africa’s Lloyd Harris, Kevin Anderson and Raven Klaasen will open their French Open 2020 campaign on the clay courts at Roland Garros, in Paris, today.
The trio has already had to deal with a host of challenges because this year’s event is a far cry from the annual claycourt Grand Slam. Because it is played in late September instead of the usual late May slot, rain and low temperatures are prevailing.
Already the first-round matches for Harris and Anderson had to be moved out from Sunday to today because of the weather.
The event also takes place in the shadow of the coronavirus and during the event players will all be restricted to the controlled bio-secure environment.
There, players, management and staff are regularly monitored for infection.
There is also the matter of a change of ball which has sparked a fair bit of controversy, with the ‘King of Clay’ Rafael Nadal leading the chorus. Roland Garros changed its official ball from Babolat to Wilson because of the wet weather conditions.
Cape Town tennis coach Stephan de Kock, who is travelling with Klaasen, said players have stepped into the unknown in Paris.
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