The Count of Monte Carlo

This clay season just got real.

I must admit, as a Nole fan, I was already writing off 2013's Euro-clay season as loss. Nadal took home two titles (including a thorough beatdown of his primary whipping boy, David Ferrer) and lost just one match in his comeback tour on South American/Mexican clay, not to mention winning Indian Wells, his first hard court title since 2010. It was pretty much a given that Rafa would sweep through April and May without any sort of hiccup.

Fast forward through a very combative final and we are back in 2011 all over again. Djokovic really took it to Nadal at his "favorite tournament." Yeah, it would be my favorite, too, had I won there EIGHT TIMES IN A ROW.

Anyway, now that the road to Roland Garros is not yet a foregone conclusion, let's try to make sense of what could go down as we get closer to the season's second Grand Slam.

Barcelona: now this is a foregone conclusion. Nadal has won the trophy here the last seven times he's entered. His half of the draw contains a few threatening players like Berdych, Raonic, and Dimitrov, but they are all in Berdych's quarter. However, his confidence may be shaken after his dustup with Nole in Monaco, so maybe, possibly Ferrer has a chance to sneak one in? Yeah, I don't think so either.

Madrid: Fed is defending his title here, but we are back to red this time around. The blue clay of 2012 was much more grass-like than anything else, so I don't think he'll be as lucky this year. Both Nadal and Djokovic have major points to gain here and I'm sure Andy will have worked on his clay court abilities to be a factor. It all depends on how the draw shakes up. Nadal could meet one of the other Big 4 in the quarters.

Rome: the final tune up will be a good one. Nadal ran through Djokovic in the final here last year, but look for Nole to try to exact some revenge here. Much like Madrid, it comes down to where Nadal is placed in the draw.

SO, with all that being said, WHO YA GOT? Can Nole bring back the magic of his 2011 RG tune-ups? Will Roger or Andy make any noise these coming weeks? Most importantly (in my opinion, will Rafa get a protected ranking at Roland Garros? The French Open is closing in on us really quick and I have a rekindled excitement for it! Today, we saw an excellent preview of a potential final round matchup. Or semifinal. Or quarterfinal. Please give Nadal the fourth seed...

Go Williams

Dear Venus and Serena,

I have been seriously following tennis for only about 30 months, but you were two of the very first names I recognized on either tour. I was there at the 1999 U.S. Open, watching both of you play an early-round doubles match. My family and I cheered you guys on at Court 17 and waited hopefully to catch a glimpse of you as you exited the grounds with your father. My mom yelled "I love you, Venus!" and you waved at her. It was really exciting.

Even more so was the history you two have made throughout the years while being African-American and from the 'hood in a sport made for the rich and privileged, battling racism and jealousy of the general public and fellow peers, and climbing back from personal and professional low points to inspired new levels. Most inspirational of all is that you did it together.

As I watched your documentary, I relived the achievements and the disappointments, the triumphs and the tribulations, and wondered to myself how do they keep going at it? Surely the training, the travel, the stress, something has to be irksome about this harsh profession now that they're both on the other side of 30. How can they ignore all of that?

I've learned that it boils down to love; love of tennis and each other. And it shows every match I see either of you play. I saw it on Saturday in your 24th head-to-head meeting, and again while watching old YouTube clips of you girls when the two of you took the world by storm, and yet again while watching your documentary.

Tennis is a harsh sport. You work so hard to get to your peak, but that period of dominance rarely lasts. So it makes me happy to hear that even if you're both too old and washed up for singles, you will keep playing doubles until kingdom come (or until you don't medal at the Olympics, whichever's first). Thank you, Venus and Serena, for lasting in a sport that has such a short lifespan. You're the reason I love tennis and the reason I am blogging today. Keep fighting out there. As always, I'll be rooting for you.

Lots of love and appreciation,

SholznBowlz