To thoroughly enjoy the accomplishment of the winners, a look back through the draw not only enhances the meaning of the trophy but also offers a look at all the accomplishments and disappointments that made the tournament such an emotional and sporting success. In the end, an athlete’s ability to put it out there, everything on the line, and perform at the highest level is a quality we all admire.

A look back at each draw will tell us who may have exceeded their expectations and may also tell the fans who might have been most disappointed. Those are the memories and emotional experiences that will drive these players through Wimbledon, our next Grand Slam.

Men’s Draw

Roger Federer - Winner of French Open 2009 Men's Title

The most compelling moment in the tournament may well have been the brief emotional response by the game’s greatest player. When Roger Federer fell to his knees and released the pent-up emotion that marked his two-week march through the field, it said volumes about the demands of a Grand Slam.

While the terre battue has proven to be the most elusive surface for the 14-time Grand Slam winner, this championship attests to Roger’s determination, work ethic and stamina. When this regal tennis competitor sets his mind to the task, he has the unique ability to convert hours of training into titles and dollars.

Unquestionably Roger Federer was the star of the Men’s 2009 French Open. Many other players provided exhilarating thrills while playing to a higher level than might have been expected. The success of the many French entrants kept the local crowds turning the turnstiles and providing excited roars from all corners of Stade Roland Garros. While Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s tournament ended abruptly at the hands of Juan Martin Del Porto, Gael Monfils established himself as player to be reckoned with. His semifinal straight set loss to the eventual Champion did not overshadow his thrilling and popular win over 6th seed Andy Roddick.

However, the tournament’s most unexpected performer was tournament runner-up Robin Soderling. Sweden’s hard-hitting 23rd seed, surprised everyone with his dominance of four-time French Champion Rafa Nadal.

That match threw the field into a state of frenzy and is the only singles match Nadal has lost at Roland Garros. His follow-up win over Nikolay Davydenko and thrilling five set comeback victory in which over a tough Fernando Gonzalez padded his resume. Trailing 1-4 in the fifth, Soderling showed his grit by rattling off the last five games against the fierce Gonzalez.

Women’s Draw

Svetlana Kuznetsova Won Women's Title at French Open 2009

There can be no dispute that Coupe Suzanne Lenglen winner Svetlana Kuznetsova was the best clay court player at the 2009 French Open. Not only did she outplay all comers, but also she bested number two seed Serena Williams and number one seed Dinara Safina along the way. Svetlana displayed the disciplined game plan and controlled execution of power backhands and forehands that won her the title. Despite a mediocre serve, Svetlana played within herself and in the moment. She played to her strength and successfully directed her play at her opponent’s weaknesses. For Svetlana, it was a heroic return to the Grand Slam winner’s circle.

There were many outstanding performers in this year’s draw and, of course, just as many unsettling performances. Despite reaching the finals, no player is more disappointed than Runner-up Dinara Safina, who marched through the field en route to the finals. Neatly overcoming quarterfinalist Victoria Azarenka in three sets and semifinalist Dominika Cibulkova in two sets, Dinara seemed poised to capture her first Grand Slam. Once again, her tentative play in a finals marred the way.

Fifth seed Jelena Jankovic had things going her way until she ran into a determined Sorana Cirstea. The unseeded Romanian put Jelena on the sidelines with a surprising three set win. The final set was 9-7.

Perhaps the most gratifying performance was turned in by Australian Samantha Stosur, who seems to have regained her form after an extended medical leave from the tour. The 30th seed knocked off 4th seed Elena Dementieva, France’s Virginia Razzano and the testy Cirstea before succumbing in three tense sets to the Suzanne Lenglen winner. Stosur will bemoan her inability to convert opportunities but performed well and will certainly be a player to watch at Wimbledon.

Maria Sharapova marked her return to the tour with a solid performance that should inspire her for England. Despite being blown out in the quarters by the diminutive Cibulkova, Sharapova etched three victories. If her legs get in tournament shape, Maria Sharapova will be a force at Wimbledon.

Men’s Doubles

Lukas Dlouhy & Leander Paes Won Doubles Title

The Draw held form for most of this event. The top seed, Nestor and Zimonjic, the three seed, Dlouhy-Paes, the two seed Bryan-Bryan all reached the semifinals. Only fourth seeded Bhupathi-Knowles faltered, losing in the second round to Acasuso and Gonzalez.

Seventh seeded Wesley Moodie and Dick Norman were the event’s over-achievers topping Bryan and Bryan in a thrilling three set semifinal, 0-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4. This may well have been the match of the event and was the best-ever Grand Slam performance by either winner.

For Americans Bryan and Bryan, it was another bitter loss and one that continues their slide from the top ranking to which they have become accustomed.

The Men’s Doubles Champions, Lukas Dlouhy and Leander Paes played like champions, overcoming the top seed 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) in the semis before turning back Moodie and Norman in the three set (3-6, 6-3, 6-2) finals.

The defeat of India’s Bhupathi and Bahamian Knowles by Acususo and Gonzalez (7-5, 4-6, 7-5) in round two was another fierce match. The upset will serve to get the four seed back in form for Wimbledon.

Women’s Doubles

Garrigues & Pascual Won Women's Doubles Title

Despite the ease with which Spain’s Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual dominated the finals (6-1, 6-1) the Women’s Doubles Tournament provided high-level competition, plenty of thrills and loads of upsets.

The top half of the draw featured top seeded Black and Huber who walked to the quarters with ease. Their match (7-5, 5-7, 6-2) with third seeded Garrigues and Pascual was the match of the tournament. With everything at stake, these experienced doubles teams held nothing back. Virtually every point in the two hour forty-five minute battle was contested. Play was filled with sharp volleys, crisp serving and in your face net play.

The lower half of the draw was filled with upsets. Second seed Peschke-Raymond lost in the second round where fourth seed Stosur-Stubbs also failed. Upstarts Azarenka and Vesnina overcame Hsieh-Peng in the semis (6-3, 7-5) to claim a berth in the finals. Azarenka may have been suffering from her singles defeat and never really got into the final match. However, the hard-hitting right-hander is a serious doubles player and may well advance on the Wimbledon grass.

Azarenka-Vesnina’s final effort was the most disappointing of the event, but their play achieving the finals was the most unexpected.

Mixed Doubles

In 2009 at Roland Garros, only the Mixed Doubles winner was the number one seed. Hats off to hard core American doubles performers Liezel Huber and Bob Bryan who overcame surprising eight seed Vania King and Marcelo Melo in a tight 5-7, 7-6 ((5), 1-0 (7) thriller.

King and Melo get kudos for over-achieving while the major disappointments were registered by India’s doubles specialists Mirza and Bhupathi who were turned away in their first round match. The experienced doubles team had trouble with the red clay and could not get their game together against Ram and Dechy.

For the Champions, it was another steady title and leads followers to believe they play as well as it takes to win. What a great two weeks in Paris. See you at Wimbledon!

Svetlana Kuznetsova won Women's title at French Open 2009 by defeating Russian Dinara Safina

A composed and focused Svetlana Kuznetsova added a well deserved 2009 French Open Tennis championship title and the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen to her 2004 U.S. Open title. The fierce 23-year old parlayed a powerful forehand with a devastating backhand to capture her second Grand Slam and leave the forlorn top seed Muscovite, Dinara Safina, grasping for straws.

In a battle of familiar Russian stars, Kuznetsova executed her game plan to perfection. In a post-match interview, Svetlana mentioned that Dinara put too much pressure on herself, wanted the title too much and tried to slug her way through her nervous moments. The Champion capitalized on Dinara’s self-inflicted nerves by refusing to lose needless points and making the wayward Dinara hit outright winners.

Kuznetsova played patiently until the time was right and then time after time released devastating winners. Both players served tentatively. Safina’s first serve was consistently in the 80’s while Svetlana Kuznetsova rarely topped 88 mph. The softly served match made for great returns and played to Kuznetsova’s favor.

Kuznetsova is no stranger to the winner’s circle. Since her 2004 U.S. Open championship, she has quietly gone about her career with the solid determination she displayed in the finals. The St. Petersburg native has amassed more than $10 million in earnings, $3 million more than Safina.

Svetlana Kuznetsova in action at Roland Garros against Russian Dinara Safina in the finals of women's French Open 2009

Svetlana arrived at the court with a plan and the calm resolve to execute her plan. She pounded backhands down the lines and moved the lanky Safina across the court with powerful forehands. Safina was often lunging for retrieves and hitting off the wrong foot.

Safina’s double fault at match point typified her second consecutive nervous Grand Slam final performance. The hard-working Russian had high hopes to rebound from a dismal final match in Melbourne and to prove her number one ranking. The final double fault was her seventh of the match while Svetlana double faulted just once.

The Champion also managed to convert on 5 of 7 break-point opportunities. Svetlana enjoyed a distinct advantage in first serve efficiency. Averaging just under 90 mph, Svetlana was successful with 78% of her first serves. The Champion was clearly determined not to beat herself. Her first serve accuracy and proficient groundstrokes seemed to add even more pressure on Dinara, who lacked the patient ability to play through points.

When the top seed gambled, the winner responded by chasing down every salvo and returning with piercing accuracy. When Dinara tried to outlast the Champion, the gritty winner simply refused to make errors. The finals seemed a re-written script for the 6 foot 2 repeat French Open runner-up.

In the second set, at 2-4 and down 15-love Safina screamed out, “Why am I such a chicken?” as another tentative forehand fell into the net. What has become characteristic of the world’s number one is that she wants a Grand Slam title so badly that she plays not to lose rather than playing to win. In all earlier matches, Safina played confidently, as though she expected to win.

Dinara could not intimidate her long-time friend and opponent. On this day in Paris, Svetlana Kuznetsova was clearly the better player and a deserving champion.

The former Russian junior rivals are just 10 months apart and have competed against each other for many years. In post-match ceremonies, it was clear there was mutual respect.

The gracious winner’s march to the title was not easy. She defeated the second seeded and most dominant Grand Slam women’s competitor, Serena Williams, in the quarterfinals. Svetlana then outplayed the very game Australian Samantha Stosur in a tough three set semifinal. It may well have been the pressure in those matches that gave her the confidence to win in the finals.

Kuznetsova rallied in both of her previous matches. She was down a break in the final set to Williams and lost the momentum to Stosur before surging to victory. Against Safina, Kuznetsova was in charge from the outset. Both players broke twice in the first set before the Champion held to go up 5-4.

With the set on the line, Safina could not find the serve that had helped her reach the finals. At 15-40, she lost to a heart-stopping backhand down the line to lose the set 6-4. The French fans wanted more but instead were forced to uncomfortably watch Safina unravel.

Kuznetsova will now prepare for Wimbledon and has added another notch to her resume. It should be remembered that in Melbourne, Svetlana was dominating Serena before an extended break resulting from the unusual in-match decision to close the roof. The delay seemed to unnerve the Russian bomber.

Kuznetsova will jump up in the rankings and deserves much respect for her Grand Slam presence. To upset the 2009 French Open Champion, players will need to counter her steady, heady play. The stocky Russian has the physique and talent to last through the draining two-week Grand Slam events. Congratulations to the very deserving and impressive 2009 Roland Garros Women’s Champion!

See you at Wimbledon!

The King

As storied as the history of Roland Garros is, the French Open Champions carry the tournament’s colors well. French Open Champions are special. They must overcome lengthy, gut-wrenching points, matches that last inordinate amounts of time and survive challenges from the best players on the planet. Yes, The French Open champions are special, just like the red courts of Roland Garros.

Since the Roland Garros Championships entered the Open era, the undisputed king of the tournament has been the stoic Swedish star and consummate tennis competitor, Bjorn Borg. Current French Open Champion, Spanish superstar, Rafael Nadal, will be seeking his sixth consecutive title at Roland Garros Stadium this month, but for many, the hearts of Paris will always belong to Sweden’s six-time winner.

In Borg’s shortened career, he won 61 ATP singles titles and 11 Grand Slam crowns. The powerful Swede won six Coupe des Mousquetaires and five Wimbledon crowns. Only Switzerland’s Roger Federer has won as many times on the English grass.

Perhaps, it was Borg’s ability to win on the slow, red clay in Paris and then on the very fast grass of England that endeared him to tennis fans around the globe. Perhaps, it was the Swede’s ability to overcome odds and hold off American bad boys John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors that elevated his popularity with international fans. Or, perhaps he was seen as one of the games great talents and the defender of the game’s ageless etiquette.

Unlike the feisty McEnroe and the contentious Conners, Borg played hard, played well and played with dignity throughout his career. At a time when the sportsmanship of the game was being redefined, Borg was a beacon of the traditional value of the game of tennis. Borg won his first French Open at age 18 in 1974. Borg won his sixth title in 1981 before his career was cut short in 1982.

Borg remains one of the few players who had the power game to win on fast surfaces and the racket skills to win on clay. Now, the game is fortunate to have another player with the same skills.

In 2009, Rafael Nadal pursues his sixth title. While the tall, muscular Spaniard’s style is different than Borg’s, Nadal has an uncanny ability to grind out wins on the red clay. With a dynamic clay court record, the 2009 French Open is Nadal’s to lose.

The Queen

Hail to The Queen! American Chris Evert captured the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen seven times and is still recognized as the greatest clay court tennis player of all time. Evert won an amazing 18 Grand Slam championships and, like Borg, did much to boost the game that she loved and the game that loved her.

Evert’s cool, calm and poised demeanor endeared her to fans around the world. The trim American won hearts and titles twice in Melbourne, 3 times at Wimbledon and 6 times at the U.S. Open. Her 125 consecutive clay court triumphs over six years from 1973 until 1979 is a record that will stand forever.

In Paris, Steffi Graf won six championships and has been Evert’s only serious challenger. As testimony to her versatility and brilliance, Evert’s six U.S. Open titles set another record.

Unbelievably, Evert finished as the world’s top ranked player seven times between 1974 and 1981. During her professional career, Evert amassed 1309 wins against 146 losses for a .900 winning percentage. Hail to the Queen of Paris, she stole our hearts and, along the way, helped raise women’s tennis.

The Prince

Michael Chang turned professional at aged 16 in 1988. His two handed backhand and durable play gained a reputation on a tour that was loaded with hard-serving and hard-hitting veterans. His 5’ 7” stature made the young American an unlikely tennis superstar.

Once settled on the tour, Chang set about making his mark. He splashed to the forefront on the red courts of Roland Garros in the 1989 French Open. His tenacious style and never-say-die attitude carried him to a stunning five set triumph over top seed Ivan Lendl in a grueling four hour 4th round match and another five set four and a half hour upset of number three seed Stefan Edberg in the finals.

At age 17 years, 3 months, Michael Chang is not only the youngest player to hoist the Coupe des Mousquetaires but he may very well reign as the Prionce of the French Open forever.

Inn his sixteen-year tennis career, Chang went on to achieve a world number two ranking and was ranked in the top ten for seven years. Michael won 34 singles titles and reached the finals in 24 other tournaments. Chang won 7 ATP championships. The 1989 French Open was his only Grand Slam championship. But, he reached the finals at the 1996 Australian Open the finals in Paris again in 1995 and the finals of the U.S. Open in 1996.

Perhaps the greatest accomplishment of the Prince of Roland Garros was his ability to represent the game itself. He championed the etiquette and integrity of the game and became a major influence on American tennis. Coincidentally, Chang’s 1989 French tile was the first by an American since Tony Trabert’s 1955 championship.

The Princess

French Open Princess, Monica Seles, joined the WTA in 1989, the same year Michael Chang won his French Open title. That same year, Seles reached the semis at Roland Garros and she was an instant teen sensation.

The next year at just 16 years 6 months, Seles swept through the tournament and raised her first Coupe Suzanne Lenglen. In fact, the Princess of Roland Garros would champion the red clay courts three successive times until 1992.

Between 1990 and 1993, Monica won 3 Australian championships, 3 French Opens and 2 U.S. Opnes. At age 21, her career was cut short when she was stabbed in the back by a spectator. Monica, the Princess of the French Open and the Queen of the Comeback, attempted to resurrect her career. Although never regaining her top form, Monica remained a top 10 player from 1995 until 2002.

In 1998, the Princess reached the finals at Paris. After the tragic stabbing, Monica needed two years of rehabilitation. The incident is one of the great tragedies of international sport. Monica’s reign as the Princess of Paris clay will most likely last an eternity.

First round action in the 2009 French Open will begin on May 24th and will conclude with the Men’s Finals on June 7th. With the top-ranked players in the world well into their seasons, the play will be intense, the prize money abundant and the crowds plentiful. This was not always the case. In fact, the French Open has evolved from rather modest beginnings to assume the role of Grand Slam spoiler for some of the game’s biggest names.

The home of the French Open is the Stade Roland Garros. Aptly named for the famed World War I fighter pilot, the stadium became home to the Open in 1928. The tournament’s stated name is the Les Internationaux de France de Roland Garros. Over the years, The Court Philippe Chatrier center court has featured storied matches and legendary matchups.

It all began in 1891 when a national tennis tournament, the Championat de France, was first created. This event was limited to male players who were licensed to play in France. The first Women’s National Championship was held in 1897. The tournament remained a national event through 1924.

In 1912, tournament organizers made a decision that still characterizes the unique playing style of the French Open when they converted the grass court playing surface to the terre battue or red clay surface. The original surface was composed of crushed, red brick. Previously all French tennis and most tennis around the world was played on grass courts.

The Championat de France gained momentum as the quality of French tennis rose along with the stature of the national event. In 1925, the French Championships became an international event with players participating from outside the country. The event was alternately hosted on grass courts at the Racing Club de France and the Stade Francais.

French tennis stunned the world by upsetting the heavily favored American Davis Cup Team in 1927. Les Mosquetaires Rene Lacoste, Jean Borotra, Henri Cochet and Jacques Brignon ventured across the water and returned with the country’s first Davis Cup Championship and much international acclaim.

When France accepted the invitation to defend and host the 1928 Davis Cup, the Stade de France agreed to provide three hectares of land for a new tennis stadium at Porte d’Auteuil. A provision that the new facility be named for the World War I pilot, Roland Garros, was attached to the land grant.

After World War II, the French Open was held at Wimbledon from 1945 through 1947. The tournament was then the third Grand Slam of the year.

In 1968, the French Championship became the first Grand Slam tournament to open for professional play. Ever since, the event has been dominated by professionals, but the French have sought ways to keep sportsmanship and national pride at the core of the tournament.

In 1981, new prizes were added to the championship. The Prix Orange is awarded to the player who is the most press-friendly and who demonstrates the truest sense of fair play. The Prix Citron designates the player with the strongest on-court character and personality, while the Prix Bourgeon is awarded to the most surprising player.

In 2006, another novel feature was added. The French Open commences on a Sunday with 12 singles matches all played on the three main courts. On the eve preceding the opening matches, exhibition matches for the benefit of designated charities are played. In March 2007, The French Open determined to award equal prize money for both singles draws.

The distinctive red clay courts provide a unique style of play for a Grand Slam event. Being a slower surface, where the ball typically bounces higher, points take longer and emphasize the player’s ability to hit effective groundstrokes and a willingness to retrieve shot after shot. Matches take longer and players either arrive at the French in top shape or soon go home.

Serve and volley specialists have not fared well on the Paris clay surface. Like the city itself, a win at the French takes heart as aces do not come easily and short rallies fall by the wayside. Some the game’s greatest stars have been unable to conquer the clay courts. Of late, sure-to-be tennis hall of famers Roger Federer and Pete Sampras, who have won more Grand Slam events than any other male players have been unable to master the red clay.

Legendary serve and volley specialists like Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg and John McEnroe all failed to triumph in Paris. Lean and mean ground strokers Bjorn Borg, Ivan Lendl and Mats Wilander seemed to rally for the French.

The Men’s Championship is named the Coupe des Mouquetaires, whose 1927 Davis Cup upset put France on the world tennis scene. That triumph is equated to the American hockey victory over the Russians in the 1980 Olympic games.

The Women’s title is called the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen, who won more mixed doubles championships than any other competitor and who won six singles championships from 1920 – 1926. Suzanne led French women’s tennis players onto the international scene. One of the main courts at Roland Garros is named in her honor.

After World War II, the Americans and the Australians dominated the tournament. Perhaps the most amazing triumph belongs to Australian Ken Rosewall who won the title in 1953 and then amazingly duplicated the win fifteen years later as a professional in 1968.

After 37 years of frustration, Yannick Noah captured the title for France in 1983. The much-celebrated win burned brightly throughout France and especially in Paris. This feat has not been duplicated since, although the 2009 home country’s team, led by Jo Wilfried Tsonga, looks to be the strongest it has been in years.

Spain’s Rafael Nadal will arrive at this year’s event as the number one seed and deservedly so. Rafael Nadal has become the man-to-beat on either grass or clay and, like Bjorn and Lenglen, has won four consecutive titles. Nadal’s game is well suited for clay and his personality is just feisty enough to intimidate lesser players.

Historically, Bjorn Borg is generally regarded to be the modern-day French Open marvel. Borg won 11 Grand Slam titles, five championships at Wimbledon and six at Roland Garros. In doing so, he displayed a unique ability to win on grass and on clay.

On the women’s side, American Chris Evert’s French Open accomplishments are still storybook. With her graceful game and calm on-court demeanor, Evert endeared herself to the Parisians. Evert won 125 consecutive clay court matches, a record that will most likely rein forever. Evert had the perfect temperament and strokes for clay, yet was able to win on grass as well.

The tournament’s youngest Men’s winner was American Michael Chang who was 17 years 3 months when he captured the title in 1989. The youngest women’s winner was Monica Seles who emblazoned her run and grunt style on Roland Garros annals at 16 years of age in 1990.