As all eyes turn to the terre battue of the Bois de Bologne for Roland Garros today, many are still reeling from the surprise retirement of four-time champion Justine Henin. Both the U.S. and French editions of Tennis Magazine previewed the Belgian as gearing up for a fifth title, with her biggest threat coming from 2002 champion Serena Williams. The French version anticipated le duel explosif. Unfortunately, we'll never know.

 

The French always showed special favor toward Henin, but perhaps the extra attention now will lift seventh-seeded Marion Bartoli, last year's Wimbledon runner-up, past the fourth round for the first time at her native Roland Garros.

 

France also held great hope for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the Australian Open finalist who had been seeded 14th. He pulled out yesterday in preparation of knee surgery Tuesday morning. Tsonga's out, but his visage is still seen throughout Charles de Gaulle airport on the cover of Paris Aeroports Magazine. 

 

Rafael Nadal is still the man to beat, of course. French Tennis Magazine includes a fold-out poster of the three-time champ (on a blue hard court, not clay, surprisingly).

 

The editors seem to think Nadal will slam dunk this 117th edition of the French championships: The cover says Tout contre Nadal! (All against Nadal!) and the story shows a photo of him and Roger Federer (last year's RG finalist) competing at Monte Carlo with the title Toujours la meme histoire? (Always the same story?). Nadal beat Federer again to win that trophy, as well as the ones at Barcelona and Hamburg. He's peaking on cue.

 

France counts 58 players among the various draws and the tournament is marking the 80th anniversary of the stadium at Roland Garros. Surely, fans are in for a treat.

 

Watch it on ESPN2 and Tennis Channel. ESPN360.com will show live coverage on the top three show courts, and the official site at RolandGarros.com offers point-by-point coverage.