Don’t Count on Computer in France

PARIS —  Tracy Austin knows what it’s like to be No. 1.

And so, Austin looked at how Yevgeny Kafelnikov went six tournaments without winning a match and became No. 1 by sliding in the back door--more like sneaking in through the service entrance--and called it an “embarrassment” to men’s tennis.

The former champion and USA Network commentator found herself on an airplane, trying to explain the ATP computer to a fellow passenger. No, it had not become a premature victim of Y2K mania.

“A man next to me said, ‘How is it possible for someone to become No. 1 when they’ve lost six matches in a row?’ ” Austin said. “I think it’s an embarrassment when something like that happens.

“Obviously when you look at it, technically, he’s ranked No. 1 on his best 14 tournaments. But I don’t think it’s healthy for someone to become No. 1 [like that].”

Austin was hardly the only one critical of Kafelnikov’s route to the top. The 25-year-old Russian--the top-seeded player at the French Open who plays Michael Chang today in the first round at Roland Garros--has unwittingly become the poster boy for what ails men’s tennis.

In fairness to Kafelnikov, there would not have been much of an outcry if he had become No. 1 shortly after he won the Australian Open in January. But his seven consecutive losses--six in a row in his tournament openers--became the lightning rod, the only numbers people noticed.

Here are some other numbers to consider as the French Open begins.

This notion of taking turns winning is getting rather ridiculous. From Rainer Schuttler to Stefan Koubek to Sjeng Schalken, it seems as though everyone is a winner in 1999. Well, nearly everyone except for Pete Sampras because it’s rather difficult to win if you keep getting injured.

There have been 26 winners of 31 events this year--sharing the wealth at its best. On the women’s side, there is less equality: Top-seeded Martina Hingis of Switzerland and fifth-seeded Venus Williams have won four titles each. Second-seeded Lindsay Davenport and No. 10 Serena Williams have each won two tournaments in ’99.

“The depth of men’s tennis is very strong, nobody really cares about that, unfortunately,” said TV commentator and tournament director Barry MacKay. “Because when you have a couple of players in the final that nobody has heard of--everybody says, ‘Forget the depth, I want to see Sampras playing [Andre] Agassi.’ ”

Which is why it is easier to discuss the favorites on the women’s side in Paris . . . it takes a lot less time. Venus Williams is playing in her ninth Grand Slam event, and although she has not reached a Slam final since the 1997 U.S. Open, she should be considered the slight favorite over Hingis.

Williams has won two clay-court events and is 9-1 on the surface, losing only to Sonya Jeyaseelan at Amelia Island, Fla. Hingis, who won her first Grand Slam in her ninth attempt, looked convincing in winning at Berlin, but lost to Venus Williams in Rome.

Venus Williams and Hingis could meet in the quarterfinals, but Hingis is faced with a potential second-round match against French favorite Amelie Mauresmo. Hingis beat Mauresmo in an emotionally charged final at the Australian Open in January, after Hingis made insensitive remarks about Mauresmo’s physique and sexuality.

Other contenders: Defending champion Arantxa Sanchez Vicario of Spain has been troubled by a chronic wrist injury, as has Davenport. Davenport, limited to one event since late March, won Saturday in Madrid and said her left wrist felt 100%.

Two other French Open veterans are in Davenport’s half of the draw, five-time champion Steffi Graf and three-time champion Monica Seles, a finalist here last year.

Among the throng of male contenders, 1997 champion Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil and Marcelo Rios of Chile come to Paris with the most momentum on clay. Kuerten, in particular, has been formidable, winning at Rome and Monte Carlo.

The charisma quotient on the men’s side received a significant boost with a couple of recent developments. Third-seeded Patrick Rafter of Australia, fresh out of the pages of Vogue magazine and soon to be on the cover of GQ, showed a remarkable affinity for clay the last two weeks.

He took out Agassi, as well as clay-court master Felix Mantilla of Spain on the way to the Italian Open final. Last week, he led Australia to victory in the World Team Championship in Dusseldorf, Germany, and beat Thomas Enqvist of Sweden in the final, from the baseline, no less.

Two-time French finalist Agassi was this closeto not playing here. But his injured shoulder improved enough for him to board the plane Thursday.

How close?

“A day away,” he said. “I was going to give it every last possible effort. I don’t like putting myself in a no-win situation. It’s come around pretty quickly here. I’m looking forward to it now.

“I am encouraged. There’s nothing that has been off-setting. I’m back in the saddle. The way I was playing, I was probably a match or two away from playing some of my best tennis on clay. I ran into a buzz saw who was playing pretty well that week. Rafter was serving big and you’re not used to playing a guy who plays that style on clay.”

Agassi was upbeat and eager, positive for someone who has been pursued by the tabloids in the aftermath of his recent divorce from actress Brooke Shields.

“Between the lines of my relationship with Brooke, I’m very comfortable with it,” he said. “I guess if I was struggling, maybe the way the media handles themselves would have an impact. It really doesn’t have an impact because I’m very clear on where I am in my life and very clear on where she is. I’m honored to know her and privileged to have her as part of my life.”

Agassi chuckled when asked to assess this year, in tennis terms.

“It [stinks], but it’s about to get a lot better,” he said. “I want to do well in the big events. I’ve got to be honest, I feel like I’m playing great. I feel like I’m fit, I’m ready to go. I’m not worried about my tennis, but by the same token, I haven’t busted through yet at a big one and that’s something that’s important.”