The French Open on my HD TV

In the past, it was an ordeal being patient while watching the French Open. Keeping track of the ball on my TV screen was a challenge. The fact that the rallies lasted so long didn’t help.
However, as I wrote here before, the organizers have managed to quicken the pace of the famous red clay and have adjusted the pressure of the balls. These changes reward the offensive player, for it allows him to hit more winners.
And of course, since today’s players are stronger, the lighter and more powerful rackets being used have also helped in making the rallies much shorter.
But the biggest change for me in watching the French Open “live” in the Philippines is being able to view it now on the new HD Channel.
I now see the ball much more clearly, as well as the facial expressions of the players. I almost feel as though I am in Roland Garros watching from the best seat in the house.
I can also appreciate the flair of the French more easily now, as I observe the colors of their dresses and hairdos much more vividly.
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This year, Roger Federer, admittedly playing under the radar, still enjoys chasing the title if only to prove his victory in 2009 wasn’t a fluke.
He will soon run into Novak Djokovic, who is on a roll this season but has little to flaunt when it comes to this championship.
However, both Federer and Djokovic will always play this tournament under the shadow of the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal.
Nadal is the prototype modern clay-court specialist. He used to be just a baseliner whose strength allowed him to go five sets easily.
But he has added a new dimension to his game by improving his serve and hitting winners from all angles. He is also much slimmer and fitter these days.
At the end of the day, it will probably be Djokivic-Nadal finals and I predict it to be a classic.
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In the women’s competition, the game is undoubtedly wide open. For the first time in the Open era, all the top three seeds have crashed out before the round of 16.
Of course, the sentimental favorite will be the sport’s pin-up girl, Maria Sharapova, who is gunning to complete a career grand slam.
She once said in an interview that playing on clay makes her feel like a “cow on ice.”
Special thanks to my son TJ who convinced me to invest in the HD.
Let’s all enjoy this year’s final week of the French.