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Forgotten man Norman winning in obscurity at Roland Garros
Posted: Saturday June 03, 2000 11:44 AM
PARIS (Reuters) -- Exiled to an obscure side court for his third round victory over Armenian Sargis Sargsian at the French Open on Saturday, Champions' Race leader Magnus Norman is beginning to lose some of his Nordic calm. "I'm just glad they don't put me in the Bois de Boulogne over there," said the third-seeded Swede about the woodland across the road from the Roland Garros stadium. "I don't know why they put me on court 10. I'm the highest seed left in the tournament but sometimes the ATP Tour have criticized me because I'm boring in press conferences and things like that," he added. "But they don't help me. Putting me on court 10 doesn't help me, you know." Since his victory in the Italian Open -- his ninth title -- the "world number one" has had to justify himself. He was obviously not considered to be top of the bill at the French Open, having not yet played on center court in three matches. And his next opponent, Andrei Medvedev, who should please the ATP Tour with his constantly witty comments to the press, attacked him in turn on Saturday, calling him "the so-called world number one." "He can think whatever he thinks about me, you know. I don't care. He's a nice guy and, you know, if he wants to be funny, that's maybe his way," Norman said. Medvedev, the losing finalist last year, also provoked the charming but aloof Swede by saying the new rankings did not mean a thing. "For every guy in the locker room, there is no better player than Andre Agassi at the moment. Number two could be Sampras, Kafelnikov or Kuerten, right? "Norman would be then five or maybe even Cedric Pioline. So the race -- I don't know why they did it. We're not Formula One." But Norman of course supported the new system. "I think from now on, you know, I think it's going to be interesting. It's going to show you who takes the spot for the Masters. I think it's a great thing," he said. To be fair to Norman, he would undoubtedly deserve to play on center court -- and he probably will against Medvedev. After the unexpected defeats of Americans Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras, he is the top seed. His performances this season and in this French Open have been impressive and he yet has to lose a set in the tournament. But recognition is difficult to obtain and maybe only a first grand slam win will earn it for him. Even for his press conference, Norman had to be content with the second interview room as American Venus Williams was already occupying the main one. "I don't know if they don't like me in France; ask them. But I find it a little strange actually."
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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