Roland Garros is here and The Road to Rio may be tough: Can players be successful at both?

The last clay tournament of the season and everyone wants to do nicely. But many have withdrawn from The French Open, because of illness and injury, leaving spaces of missed players who would indeed have made a difference in ticket sales and fan patronage. A tally would have to be taken on how many players are participating in the French Open and are the same participating in the Olympics at Rio? Roland Garros holds the European mystic of playing on the historical red clay, visiting the sights of Paris — the Eiffel Tower, other monuments and shops as well as cafes that tourists love and tennis players love even more when they’re not on the court. But playing is playing and prize money along with the comraderie of participating in Paris and a Grand Slam are unique for many players who may be experiencing their first time entering because of a wild card being granted, such as Cagla Buyukakcay, the first Turkish female player in the French Open.

It seems like it was a few years ago, that players were bubbling over like a pressurized champagne bottle at the fact of being able to participate in The Olympics. Now, players still love the idea and the …

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