The 2020 French Open got underway today and there were a few seeded casualties. The highest ranked player to fall in the first round was [9] Johanna Konta. The Brit fell 3-6, 3-6 to the upstart American teenager, Cori Gauff.

Americans In The Singles Draws

American Men (13)	American Women (19)
[21] John Isner [27] Taylor Fritz [36] Reilly Opelka [47] Sam Querrey [48] Tennys Sandgren [59] Tommy Paul [62] Steve Johnson [67] Frances Tiafoe [95] Marcos Giron [177] Michael Mmoh (Q) [211] Sebastian Korda (Q) [234] Mackenzie McDonald [302] Jack Sock (Q)	[4] Sofia Kenin [6] Serena Williams [12] Madison Keys [19] Alison Riske [21] Jennifer Brady [25] Amanda Anisimova [29] Sloane Stephens [53] Cori Gauff [55] Shelby Rogers [57] Danielle Collins [59] Jessica Pegula [60] Bernarda Pera [67] Lauren Davis [70] Venus Williams [73] Madison Brengle [79] Christina McHale [101] Kristie Ahn [170] Catherine Bellis [185] Varvara Lepchenko (Q)

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Venus Williams Loses Early

Those in green won their first round matches. Venus Williams is not the player she once was, getting older tends to do that to an athlete. In addition, she continues to suffer with Sjogren’s Syndrome, which must add an extra physical and psychological burden.  I understand her loving the game; however, at some point, she must consider retiring.  She is losing to players she once dominated. 

For The Love of The Game

At forty years, one asks the question, “Why is she still playing?” She is not Martina Navratilova who was winning titles at the age of fifty.  The last title Williams won was in 2016, at what point will she recognize that she is tarnishing her legacy? The last time she won a match was in August 2020, surprisingly she defeated Victoria Azarenka. Despite having wins last year, there has also been a string of early round losses.  Again, she loves the game, but I hate to see her losing like this; yet, it is her decision, and she will decide when she has had enough.  

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29 Americans Still In Singles

The American men did much better than the women, there were no day one casualties. At the conclusion of day one, only sixteen American women remain in the singles main draw.