PARIS -- The French Open draw ceremony began with a video showing an artist's rendering of what the tournament site is expected to look like in a couple of years, including a planned retractable roof atop the main stadium.
For now, though, Roland Garros is the same as it's been, meaning the rain that's predicted to fall throughout Week 1 will play havoc with the schedule at the clay-court tournament, which begins Sunday.
''We'll see how it's going to be with the weather,'' said Roger Federer, whose 17 Grand Slam titles include the 2009 French Open. ''I heard it's going to be quite difficult, especially the first week with the amount of matches there are to be played. It's clearly going to have an impact.''
As it is, the French Open presents a particular test, because of the grueling nature of playing on red clay, where points tend to be longer than on hard or grass courts.
Federer knows that dealing properly with the stops and starts is essential.
''Sometimes the rain starts at a very bad moment either for you or for the opponent or for the spectators - at the worst moment of the match. So ... you just need to win those matches one way or another, however you do it,'' he said. ''Even if it's not good tennis, it doesn't matter.''
Sprinkles fell Friday, and eight-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal said: ''Hopefully the weather will be better.''
