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| 07 Jun 2003 | |
| Two’s company for doubles champions in Paris |
By Eleanor Preston at Roland Garros
Dudi Sela and Gyorgy Balazs came from a set down to grab themselves a debut Grand Slam doubles title in the boys’ competition at Roland Garros. Sela (ISR) and Balazs (HUN) were not seeded in the competition yet romped through to the final dropping just one set along the way. Their toughest match in the draw came against Kamil Capkovic (SVK) and Lado Chikhladze (GEO) in the final, but Sela and Balazs eventually prevailed 5-7, 6-1, 6-2.
In the girls’ doubles Marta Fraga and Adriana Gonzalez Penas scored a one-sided victory over Katerina Bohmova (CZE) and Michaela Krajicek (NED), winning 6-0, 6-3.
It was not so easy because we lost the first set, which was so strange because we were leading two times,” said a delighted Balazs after the match. “In the second and third set it was very easy, we had a lot of breaks and everything was perfect.”
It’s fun to play Roland Garros and it’s amazing to have won, especially as it’s the first time we’ve ever played together,” said Sela. “It’s great and maybe one day we can do it in the men’s competition.”
The pair have been friends for a long time but only decided to team up on the court just before Roland Garros started. “We wanted to play before but we couldn’t, so just before we got here we sent messages to each other to see if we could try and team up in Paris,” explained Balazs. “It’s worked out fantastic and we are going to try and do the same again in the junior event in Wimbledon in three weeks’ time.”
Balazs and Sela said there is only one secret to their success – talking. “I think we have good communication between each other and that is probably because we are such good friends off the court. That’s the main reason why we won the title, because we know each other so well,” said Sela.
“There is no boss,” agreed Balazs, “and I think it helps that we play similar tennis so in a way it helps us to think the same way and we always try to encourage each other. We definitely have fun together.”
Unfortunately for the pair they will not be able to celebrate their win together, because Balazs is flying back to Budapest while Sela stays in Paris.
“I am staying in Paris tonight and I am going to party even though he is leaving me,” said Sela, smiling. “He will have to celebrate in Budapest but I’m sure we will send each other messages on our cell phones.”
“It’s a very good feeling to be a Grand Slam champion, I can’t say how happy I am,” said Balazs.
Photos by Susan Mullane
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