It's rare that someone's story touches people to the point that you want to be able to will them to do well in life. When that person is an athlete and their personal tragedy has been played out on the world's stage the dynamic is only slightly changed.
There is no need to go into the story ofJelena Dokic for anyone who has followed tennis for the last few years. After a spectacular reemergence in this years Australian Open she kind of faded into the background again. She reemerged in Paris and stood across the net from Elena Dementieva someone she pretty much owned during her heyday and for awhile it looked as if the old balance of power was unchanged as Jelena absorbed and returned all the power of Elena's groundstrokes putting Dementieva in the now unaccustomed position of a possible early exit from a major.
But where the spirit was willing the flesh proved to be weak. It's very rare that the almost exact moment of an injury is captured but this picture comes close. There isn't much more to report. Jelena tried but she could barely bend her knees to serve and in the end she had to retire handing Elena the victory.
There were no hands raised in victory. Instead Elena went over to comfort a distraught Dokic, something that was also captured by a photographer.
The Men of France
Paul Henri Mathieu
Marc Gicquel
Gael Monfils
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
They seem an inspired lot don't they?
By the way can anyone identify this guy?
Rumor is he's an American but that can't be right can it?
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