2003 Grand Slams Review: Date With Destiny
In hindsight, destiny had already dictated this year's four Grand Slam champions: An ageless veteran, whose off-season workout regimen again guided him to glory Down Under; a crafty Spaniard, who finally shook the bridesmaid tag in the city of romance, a silky-skilled Swiss, who restored the serve-and-volley order at the All England Club; and America's hottest young talent, who began a new era for American tennis by winning the US Open on the same court upon which Pete Sampras retired just two weeks earlier.
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Roland Garros
There was no player in this year's Roland Garros field who seemed more likely to walk away with the clay court Grand Slam title than Juan Carlos Ferrero. Three previous trips to Paris produced two semifinals and a runner-up finish in 2002, with defeat in all coming against the eventual champion. But while Ferrero was cruising through his first four rounds of action, defending champion Albert Costa was using every ounce of energy available, hoping to reach his second straight final. Costa played four five-set matches to reach the semifinals, amassing 18 hours and 32 minutes on court to set up a re-match of the 2002 final with Ferrero. By that time, the weary Costa stood no chance against his determined countryman, who won through to his first Grand Slam final.
Dutchman Martin Verkerk surprised almost everyone by using his over-powering service to secure his spot in the finals, bouncing the likes of former champ Carlos Moya and a red-hot Guillermo Coria in the process. But the threads that had held Verkerk together over the past two weeks came unwoven against Ferrero as the Spaniard finally achieved his Roland Garros glory with a 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 victory.
US Open
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As the chase for the year's final Grand Slam championship began, a long list of players had genuine claims to the title. Agassi, Ferrero, Federer, Roddick and Hewitt all looked in position to hoist the silver trophy. But that list became shorter when Ferrero ousted Hewitt in the quarterfinals and tore through Agassi in the semis. David Nalbandian materialized as a legitimate contender by knocking out Mark Philippoussis in the third round, Federer in the fourth and an energized Younes El Aynaoui in the quarters. But in the semis Roddick rallied from a two-set deficit and match point to reach the final. In the championship match, Roddick's destiny to carry on the Sampras legacy in American tennis was clearly established as he rolled through Ferrero in straight sets to capture his first Grand Slam title.
