Halfway through, tennis’s second major is in need of a mood elevator. Maybe it’s the rain. Or a surface that brings out pugnaciousness. But this has been a combative French Open. Players are beefing with opponents and, more often, themselves. Players are rifling balls that hit fans. Fans are jeering players, leading to a silly and misplaced ban on bringing alcohol into the stadium. Players are chiding the media. The media is responding in kind. Again, a week of rain will test patience and charity.
As for the actual tennis … it’s been quite fine. Rafael Nadal did himself proud in the first round—and kindled hope that this was not the end. The stalwarts remain. Players like Novak Djokovic, Ons Jabeur and Naomi Osaka have found some magic again. The injury concerns of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are evaporating. The Americans are holding their own.
Bring on Week 2. And if it’s accompanied by some sunshine, so much the better.
