Queen Mary ushers French revolution

The victory turned doubly sweet for Pierce on Sunday as she teamed up with Martina Hingis to claim the doubles title. A heavily-bandaged left knee did not prevent the Frenchwoman from winning her first Grand Slam doubles title defeating Spain’s Virginia Ruano Pascual and Argentina’s Paola Suarez 6-2, 6-4..

When she first arrived in Paris as a child it seemed Mary Pierce and her adopted country was a love affair destined to end badly.

At her parent’s instigation she swapped a North American childhood for life under the tutelage of French Tennis Federation and spent her days practising as a budding hopeful at Roland Garros before going back to a dormitory room.

“I couldn’t really speak French. I didn’t have any friends and I was by myself. It was tough. I probably cried every night,” Pierce revealed.

The French and Pierce have always had a love hate relationship — especially since she fluffed her first appearance in the final at Roland Garros six years ago, losing to another Spaniard, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario.

As the Canadian-born daughter of a French mother and an American father, the crowds here have never entirely accepted Pierce as one of their own.

That all changed when she raised the trophy aloft in front of a packed and adoring Centre Court before making a tearful winner’s address in the language of Moliere.

“I have so many emotions that I don’t feel anything,” Pierce confessed after ousting Martinez in 1hr 52 minutes. “I never thought I’d win this tournament. It’s amazing. So many emotions are attached to this tournament for me.

“In 1994 I was far too tense, I couldn’t play my game. This time I was able to dictate things more. My nerves gave me energy.”

Pierce, who put her friendship with doubles partner and world number one Hingis on one side to knock out the Swiss Miss in the semifinal, said she had wanted to win the tournament because it was such a special event — not because she felt she needed to give France a home triumph.

“The reason I wanted to win this tournament is not to be accepted. It’s a part of who I am as being French. It’s very emotional and very special for me,” she said.

Pierce says her scintillating form is largely down to her rediscovery of Catholicism since she became engaged to Major League Baseball star Roberto Alomar. Pierce even wore rosary beads she purchased on a visit to the Dominican Republic on court throughout the tournament.

She has had an up-and-down career, though her religion and her closeness to her brother and coach David have settled her down recently.

She said her brother had been a tower of strength. “He’s been fantastic to put up with me every day. We get along great.”

Saturday’s win in cool, overcast conditions gave Pierce her second title of the year after Hilton Head and the 15th singles success of her career. She picked up a winner’s cheque for 4,028,000 Francs (about Rs 2.54 crore) while fifth-seeded Martinez takes home exactly half that sum for her efforts.

“I can’t explain how I feel. It’s just incredible. I’ll never forget this,” gasped Pierce, who raised both her arms in triumph after sealing the title. She buried her head in her towel then rose, crossed herself — and saluted the crowd.

Martinez, in contrast, was left to contemplate coming up short in her first final here after three semi-final losses as she failed to add to her 1994 Wimbledon title having come here on the back of a German Open title — her 32nd singles triumph.

“I was very nervous,” she said. “It was my first final at Roland Garros. When your game isn’t there it’s a little bit frustrating.”

Pierce said her victory will not change her. “I really don’t need anything,” she said. “I’m not a materialistic person. It’s not the money I play for.”

All she — and France — needed was the silver trophy and that — for both parties — was priceless.