The French Open is one of four Grand Slam events in tennis, and is the only one played on red clay. To win a Grand Slam title is what every tennis pro aspires to, and to win all four in one calendar year is achievable only by the best.
Serena Williams and Andre Agassi are the only players in 2003 who have a chance of winning all four Grand Slam titles. Each have won the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open. Williams has won the last four Grand Slam titles, a "Serena Slam", but not in a calendar year. She is the defending champion and favorite to repeat in 2003. Agassi hasn't won in Paris since 1999, but is in the best shape of his life and has a good chance to go all the way.
On the women's side, five of the top ten seeds are Americans, sandwiched in between the two Belgian girls and a French woman. The field includes three past champions and two Grand Slam title holders. All gunning to dethrone Serena Williams, but none more than big sister Venus, who has lost to Serena in the last four Grand Slam events.
The men are lead by Australian Lleyton Hewitt and American favorite Andre Agassi. Hewitt hasn't fared well in the dirt over the years, but is the defending Wimbledon champion, so the guy knows what it takes to win. Agassi has one French title, but his results have been sporadic throughout his 18-year career. Everyone will be pulling for the 33-year old American because we sense that his time on tour is nearing the end. The men's draw also includes three Spaniards and two Argentineans, all of whom are always a strong force to be reckoned with on clay.
The 2003 French Open begins May 26, with daily TV coverage on ESPN and ESPN2. If you love tennis, want to improve your game, or just like to see the latest tennis fashions and equipment trends, tune in during the early morning broadcasts. Paris time is six hours ahead of New York and nine hours ahead of the west coast, so you may have to get up early to catch the days matches. Grab a bowl of cereal, get your morning coffee and tune in to learn from the best in tennis.
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