The 2016 French Open is in the books. It will be remembered for its high-profile absences, rain delays, animal-printed fashion faux pas and of course, the winners and losers.
As legendary sportscaster Jim McKay so eloquently once stated, “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat,” define sports.
The juxtaposition of winners and losers clarifies the magnitude of an event.
Hard-fought victories produced Novak Djokovic’s outstretched arms and Garbine Muguruza’s warm smile. The awareness of an opportunity missed nearly brought Serena Williams to tears. Andy Murray seemed more resigned to having been beaten by the best.
You didn’t have to see a scoreline to interpret Kiki Berten’s celebratory roll in the dirt or Marcos Baghdatis’ red-clay face plant. Their moods told the story.
Only a few players leave Paris with new trophies. However, many other victories were won.
The following are the biggest winners and losers from Roland Garros.
Muguruza captured her first Grand Slam title and the hearts of tennis fans with her warm smile, engaging personality and fierce competitive spirit.
Fans of women’s tennis are also winners, as this newest champion is only 22 and figures to have more titles in her future.
The Spaniard told the National, “My dream is to continue and win more tournaments, similar tournaments, and to dominate. When I am on the court I want to dictate my game and bring more of these cups back home.”
Serena Williams has 21 Grand Slam titles and four Olympic gold medals. But the depth of the loss she suffered in the finals could be heard in her quivering voice as she gave her runner-up speech. Williams has now lost in three finals this year: Australian Open, Indian Wells and French Open.
She is 1-3 in finals this season.
Despite the absence of Rafael Nadal, it was a good tournament for Spain. Muguruza became the first Spanish woman to win the French Open since Arantxa Sanchez Vicario (1998).
Spanish doubles team Marc Lopez and Feliciano Lopez defeated the venerable Mike and Bob Bryan to capture their first Grand Slam title.
After several rain delays and suspended matches, a playful twitter feud broke out among Grand Slam roofs. That’s right, twitter accounts claiming to speak for retractable roofs weighed in on the rainy situation in Paris.
The following is a part of the back and forth:
Wimbledon Roof: Sounds like I should head over and help out in Paris. Reckon it would be a good warm-up for me for the main event at Wimbledon.#roofisback.
Roland Garros: You may have a roof we but have the nicest baguettes in the world that can be eaten rain, hail or shine. So there.
Wimbledon Roof: You can’t play tennis under soggy baguettes though. And they are no strawberries and cream… #avantagemonsieurroof.
U.S. Open roof: Don’t worry tennis fans, this is the only slam this will happen at. No need to worry when you head to New York. #illbeready.
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French Open 2016: Winners and Losers from Roland Garros
Winner: Novak Djokovic
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Winner: Novak DjokovicClive Brunskill/Getty Images
Novak Djokovic hits a backhand during the finals of the 2016 French Open.
Although Djokovic came out looking rather flat, the Serbian reclaimed his mojo and went on to claim that elusive French Open title. It’s his 12th Grand Slam title.
Now he joins the small club of men’s players to win career Grand Slams. He’s the first man in 47 years to hold all Gram Slam titles at once.
It was a commanding performance by the most dominant player in the game.
