A French play on words accompanying a photo of Maria Sharapova in the official tournament publication at the French Open might make English speakers do a double-take.
Monday's edition of ''Quotidien'' carries a front-page headline in all capital letters with Sharapova's name. Underneath appear the words, ''Lame Slave.''
In French, the word ''lame'' means ''sword'' - and it is pronounced ''lahm,'' so it sounds like ''l'ame,'' which means ''soul.'' The term ''l'ame slave'' refers in French to the ''Slavic soul,'' a concept meant to describe a nostalgia and romanticism felt by Eastern Europeans.
Sharapova, who was born in Russia, was shown the publication after her victory Monday. Her reaction: ''Oh, there have been so many headlines throughout my career, and this is just another one.''
