Sampras Honoured in Paris While Yevgeny Kafelnikov Given Booby Prize
May 30, 2000
PARIS -At the French Open on Tuesday it was the annual awards, in which a panel of judges vote for their favourite or least favourite players on the tour. The judges are a panel made up of tennis journalists.
Due to comments he has made or his attitude during interviews, Yevgeny Kafelnikov was awarded the infamous booby prize an award aptly titled "Prix Citroen". It is awarded to a player who is the most grumpiest and awkward on the tour. Marcelo Rios of Chile had been the winner for the last 4 years running!
Kafelnikov made the news earlier in the year in London at the Indoor Championships following complaints about the surface, which lead to it being re-laid! He also moaned about the new venue at London's docklands, saying he would have preferred to be somewhere "more civilised" and made comments about the hotel he was staying at as being "terrible…not acceptable."
Kafelnikov is the 1996 French Open Champion, and similar to Rios a former world number one, went on to reach the final of that tournament in February, but lost to Switzerland's Marc Rosset in an exciting often-volatile match. He angered Rosset during the match by making remarks, and by deliberately hitting the ball at him whenever Rosset was at the net. During a changeover Rosset erupted and said to him, "You are just an idiot"
On a more pleasing note Pete Sampras, the winner of a record equalling 12 Grand Slam titles was given the award for "King of The Court" a prize given for being the exceptional player of the past ten years. Steffi Graf, who has now retired and a winner of 22 Grand Slam singles titles was given the title "Queen of The Court."
Lleyton Hewitt of Australia, took home the "Bourgeon, Blossom" award for being the most promising personality.
Monica Sele's, 3rd seeded in Paris was awarded the prize for Fair Play.
Also, on the women's side Lindsay Davenport won the "Prix Orange" following being voted the most likeable player on the international women's tour.
Based on Reuters report
Special note: Pete's "King of the Court" title inspired Samprasfanz member, Sonja Stransky to create a graphic design for the banner and card.
Back to Archives - 2000 | News