Rafael Nadal’s first French Open loss. Serena Williams’ first victory over Venus Williams in a major final.

Ivan Lendl’s comeback against John McEnroe. And, five years later, Michael Chang’s comeback against Lendl.

Click to Gallery

FILE - In this June 8, 2002, file photo, Serena Williams, right, talks with her sister Venus after Serena won the women's final of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Serena Williams defeated her sister Venus 7-5, 6-3. Serena entered this match with one Grand Slam singles title; she now owns a professional-era record 23. This also began a Sister Slam streak in which Serena beat her older sibling in four consecutive all-in-the-family major finals. Two days after the finale in Paris, they would move atop the rankings together, with Venus at No. 1, and Serena No. 2 -- two people from one household at 1-2 for the only time in tennis history. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena, File)

Rafael Nadal’s first French Open loss. Serena Williams’ first victory over Venus Williams in a major final.
FILE - In this June 6, 1999, file photo, 13th-seeded Andre Agassi reacts after he defeated Andrei Medvedev 1-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the men's final tennis match at the French Open at Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Agassi forever changed the way his career would be viewed by completing a career Grand Slam. (AP PhotoLaurent Rebours, File)

With the French Open postponed from now until September because of the coronavirus pandemic — “I miss playing the tournament that I love the most,” Nadal said Thursday — The Associated Press is republishing a handful of stories that first appeared when classic matches were played in Paris.
FILE - In this June 5, 1999, file photo, top-seeded Martina Hingis arrives in tears with her mother Melanie Monitor for the trophy ceremony after she lost to sixth-seeded Steffi Graf 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the women's final tennis match at the French Open at Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Sporting events can be memorable for all sorts of reasons, and sometimes more than one, from upsets to historical significance to moments of drama to big comebacks and more. (AP PhotoMichel Euler, File)

FROM 31-0 TO 31-1
FILE - In this June 5, 1983, file photo, Yannick Noah, of France, waves to the crowd at Roland Garros stadium in Paris after defeating Sweden's Mats Wilander to win the French Open men's singles tennis title. Obscured at left hugging Yannick Noah is his father. Noah is the only Frenchman since 1946 to win his country's tournament. (AP PhotoJacques Langevin, File)

Final, 2002, Serena Williams beat Venus Williams 7-5, 6-3. Serena entered with one Grand Slam singles title; she now owns 23. This began a Sister Slam streak in which Serena beat her older sister in four consecutive all-in-the-family major finals. Two days after the finale in Paris, Venus was ranked No. 1, and Serena No. 2 — two people from one household at 1-2 in singles for the only time in tennis history. ... Other memorable moments of historical significance: Final, 1983, Yannick Noah beat Mats Wilander 6-2, 7-5, 7-6 (3). Noah is the only Frenchman since 1946 to win his country’s tournament. ... Final, 1999, Andre Agassi beat Andrei Medvedev 1–6, 2–6, 6–4, 6–3, 6–4. Agassi forever changed the way his career would be viewed by completing a career Grand Slam. ... Other career Slams completed in Paris: Roger Federer (2009), Maria Sharapova (2012), Novak Djokovic (2016).
FILE - In this June 5, 1989, file photo, Michael Chang falls to the ground crying after he defeated top-seeded Ivan Lendl at the French Open tennis championships in Paris. Chang, 17, toppled the top-seeded Lendl 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. (AP PhotoLionel Cironneau, File)

CRAMPS
FILE - In this June 10, 1984, file photo, Ivan Lendl serves to John McEnroe in the men's finals at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris. Lendl beat McEnroe 3-6, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5, 7-5. This one marked a significant pivot in Lendl's career: He entered the day 0-4 in major finals but ended up with eight trophies. (AP PhotoAdam Stoltman, File)

More AP Tennis: https://www.apnews.com/apf-Tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
More Images
FILE - In this June 8, 2002, file photo, Serena Williams, right, talks with her sister Venus after Serena won the women's final of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Serena Williams defeated her sister Venus 7-5, 6-3. Serena entered this match with one Grand Slam singles title; she now owns a professional-era record 23. This also began a Sister Slam streak in which Serena beat her older sibling in four consecutive all-in-the-family major finals. Two days after the finale in Paris, they would move atop the rankings together, with Venus at No. 1, and Serena No. 2 -- two people from one household at 1-2 for the only time in tennis history. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena, File)

Rafael Nadal’s first French Open loss. Serena Williams’ first victory over Venus Williams in a major final.

FILE - In this June 6, 1999, file photo, 13th-seeded Andre Agassi reacts after he defeated Andrei Medvedev 1-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the men's final tennis match at the French Open at Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Agassi forever changed the way his career would be viewed by completing a career Grand Slam. (AP PhotoLaurent Rebours, File)

With the French Open postponed from now until September because of the coronavirus pandemic — “I miss playing the tournament that I love the most,” Nadal said Thursday — The Associated Press is republishing a handful of stories that first appeared when classic matches were played in Paris.

FILE - In this June 5, 1999, file photo, top-seeded Martina Hingis arrives in tears with her mother Melanie Monitor for the trophy ceremony after she lost to sixth-seeded Steffi Graf 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the women's final tennis match at the French Open at Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Sporting events can be memorable for all sorts of reasons, and sometimes more than one, from upsets to historical significance to moments of drama to big comebacks and more. (AP PhotoMichel Euler, File)

FROM 31-0 TO 31-1

FILE - In this June 5, 1983, file photo, Yannick Noah, of France, waves to the crowd at Roland Garros stadium in Paris after defeating Sweden's Mats Wilander to win the French Open men's singles tennis title. Obscured at left hugging Yannick Noah is his father. Noah is the only Frenchman since 1946 to win his country's tournament. (AP PhotoJacques Langevin, File)

Final, 2002, Serena Williams beat Venus Williams 7-5, 6-3. Serena entered with one Grand Slam singles title; she now owns 23. This began a Sister Slam streak in which Serena beat her older sister in four consecutive all-in-the-family major finals. Two days after the finale in Paris, Venus was ranked No. 1, and Serena No. 2 — two people from one household at 1-2 in singles for the only time in tennis history. ... Other memorable moments of historical significance: Final, 1983, Yannick Noah beat Mats Wilander 6-2, 7-5, 7-6 (3). Noah is the only Frenchman since 1946 to win his country’s tournament. ... Final, 1999, Andre Agassi beat Andrei Medvedev 1–6, 2–6, 6–4, 6–3, 6–4. Agassi forever changed the way his career would be viewed by completing a career Grand Slam. ... Other career Slams completed in Paris: Roger Federer (2009), Maria Sharapova (2012), Novak Djokovic (2016).

FILE - In this June 5, 1989, file photo, Michael Chang falls to the ground crying after he defeated top-seeded Ivan Lendl at the French Open tennis championships in Paris. Chang, 17, toppled the top-seeded Lendl 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. (AP PhotoLionel Cironneau, File)

CRAMPS

FILE - In this June 10, 1984, file photo, Ivan Lendl serves to John McEnroe in the men's finals at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris. Lendl beat McEnroe 3-6, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5, 7-5. This one marked a significant pivot in Lendl's career: He entered the day 0-4 in major finals but ended up with eight trophies. (AP PhotoAdam Stoltman, File)

More AP Tennis: https://www.apnews.com/apf-Tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Sporting events can be memorable for all sorts of reasons, and sometimes more than one, from upsets to historical significance to moments of drama to big comebacks and more.

FILE - In this June 8, 2002, file photo, Serena Williams, right, talks with her sister Venus after Serena won the women's final of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Serena Williams defeated her sister Venus 7-5, 6-3. Serena entered this match with one Grand Slam singles title; she now owns a professional-era record 23. This also began a Sister Slam streak in which Serena beat her older sibling in four consecutive all-in-the-family major finals. Two days after the finale in Paris, they would move atop the rankings together, with Venus at No. 1, and Serena No. 2 -- two people from one household at 1-2 for the only time in tennis history. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena, File)

FILE - In this June 8, 2002, file photo, Serena Williams, right, talks with her sister Venus after Serena won the women's final of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Serena Williams defeated her sister Venus 7-5, 6-3. Serena entered this match with one Grand Slam singles title; she now owns a professional-era record 23. This also began a Sister Slam streak in which Serena beat her older sibling in four consecutive all-in-the-family major finals. Two days after the finale in Paris, they would move atop the rankings together, with Venus at No. 1, and Serena No. 2 -- two people from one household at 1-2 for the only time in tennis history. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena, File)

With the French Open postponed from now until September because of the coronavirus pandemic — “I miss playing the tournament that I love the most,” Nadal said Thursday — The Associated Press is republishing a handful of stories that first appeared when classic matches were played in Paris.

This AP Was There series starts with a story from May 31, 2009, about one of only two defeats for Nadal in his 95-match French Open career so far.

Here is a sampling of that Roland Garros contest and others from the past 40 years that stand out:

FILE - In this June 6, 1999, file photo, 13th-seeded Andre Agassi reacts after he defeated Andrei Medvedev 1-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the men's final tennis match at the French Open at Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Agassi forever changed the way his career would be viewed by completing a career Grand Slam. (AP PhotoLaurent Rebours, File)

FILE - In this June 6, 1999, file photo, 13th-seeded Andre Agassi reacts after he defeated Andrei Medvedev 1-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the men's final tennis match at the French Open at Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Agassi forever changed the way his career would be viewed by completing a career Grand Slam. (AP PhotoLaurent Rebours, File)

FROM 31-0 TO 31-1

Fourth round, 2009, Robin Soderling beat Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 7-6 (2). It wasn’t just that Nadal was unbeaten through 31 matches at the French Open and considered a lock to become the first to win five consecutive titles there (he won his 12th Coupe des Mousquetaires in 2019). It’s also that Soderling never had been past the second round at any major. ... Other memorable upsets: Quarterfinals, 2010, Soderling beat Roger Federer 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4. Federer had reached 23 major semifinals in a row and 18 of 19 major finals. ... First round, 2012, Virginie Razzano beat Serena Williams 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3. The American’s lone loss in 74 first-round Slam matches. Afterward, Williams began working with Patrick Mouratoglou, her coach for 10 major titles. ... Also from the realm of surprises: The entire championship runs by 66th-ranked Gustavo Kuerten (1997) and 47th-ranked Jelena Ostapenko (2017).

SISTER SLAM

FILE - In this June 5, 1999, file photo, top-seeded Martina Hingis arrives in tears with her mother Melanie Monitor for the trophy ceremony after she lost to sixth-seeded Steffi Graf 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the women's final tennis match at the French Open at Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Sporting events can be memorable for all sorts of reasons, and sometimes more than one, from upsets to historical significance to moments of drama to big comebacks and more. (AP PhotoMichel Euler, File)

FILE - In this June 5, 1999, file photo, top-seeded Martina Hingis arrives in tears with her mother Melanie Monitor for the trophy ceremony after she lost to sixth-seeded Steffi Graf 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the women's final tennis match at the French Open at Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Sporting events can be memorable for all sorts of reasons, and sometimes more than one, from upsets to historical significance to moments of drama to big comebacks and more. (AP PhotoMichel Euler, File)

Final, 2002, Serena Williams beat Venus Williams 7-5, 6-3. Serena entered with one Grand Slam singles title; she now owns 23. This began a Sister Slam streak in which Serena beat her older sister in four consecutive all-in-the-family major finals. Two days after the finale in Paris, Venus was ranked No. 1, and Serena No. 2 — two people from one household at 1-2 in singles for the only time in tennis history. ... Other memorable moments of historical significance: Final, 1983, Yannick Noah beat Mats Wilander 6-2, 7-5, 7-6 (3). Noah is the only Frenchman since 1946 to win his country’s tournament. ... Final, 1999, Andre Agassi beat Andrei Medvedev 1–6, 2–6, 6–4, 6–3, 6–4. Agassi forever changed the way his career would be viewed by completing a career Grand Slam. ... Other career Slams completed in Paris: Roger Federer (2009), Maria Sharapova (2012), Novak Djokovic (2016).

‘EMOTIONAL’

Final, 1992, Monica Seles beat Steffi Graf 6-2, 3-6, 10-8. The third set alone lasted 1½ hours. After winning the fifth major in a row she’d entered, Seles called it “the most emotional match I’ve ever played.” Less than a year later, she was stabbed by a spectator in Germany; she returned to the tour in 1995 and would win one more Slam title. ... Other memorable moments of drama: Final, 1999, Graf beat Martina Hingis 4–6, 7–5, 6–2. The last of Graf’s 22 major trophies was overshadowed by Hingis’ tantrum. ... Semifinals, 2013, Rafael Nadal beat Novak Djokovic 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7 (3), 9-7. Nadal called it “a special one.” ... Semifinals, 2003, Justine Henin beat Serena Williams 6-2, 4-6, 7-5. Henin raised a hand to call time right before a fault by Williams and wouldn’t acknowledge doing so. Afterward, Williams accused Henin of “lying and fabricating.” The American's 33-match Slam winning streak ended.

FILE - In this June 5, 1983, file photo, Yannick Noah, of France, waves to the crowd at Roland Garros stadium in Paris after defeating Sweden's Mats Wilander to win the French Open men's singles tennis title. Obscured at left hugging Yannick Noah is his father. Noah is the only Frenchman since 1946 to win his country's tournament. (AP PhotoJacques Langevin, File)

FILE - In this June 5, 1983, file photo, Yannick Noah, of France, waves to the crowd at Roland Garros stadium in Paris after defeating Sweden's Mats Wilander to win the French Open men's singles tennis title. Obscured at left hugging Yannick Noah is his father. Noah is the only Frenchman since 1946 to win his country's tournament. (AP PhotoJacques Langevin, File)

CRAMPS

Fourth round, 1989, Michael Chang beat Ivan Lendl 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. This certainly also merits a mention on any list of all-time upsets. Chang, 17, ousted the top-seeded Lendl while dealing with severe cramping. Chang won a point he began with an underarm serve and, on match point, he moved all the way up to the service line to return. Lendl double-faulted to end it, and Chang would go on to become the youngest male champion at any major. ... Other memorable comebacks: Final, 1984, Lendl beat John McEnroe 3-6, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5, 7-5. This one marked a significant pivot: Lendl began the day 0-4 in major finals and retired with eight Slam trophies. ... Quarterfinals, 1993, Mary Joe Fernandez beat Gabriela Sabatini 1-6, 7-6 (4), 10-8. Fernandez trailed 6-1, 5-1 before saving five match points.

Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at https://twitter.com/HowardFendrich

FILE - In this June 5, 1989, file photo, Michael Chang falls to the ground crying after he defeated top-seeded Ivan Lendl at the French Open tennis championships in Paris. Chang, 17, toppled the top-seeded Lendl 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. (AP PhotoLionel Cironneau, File)

FILE - In this June 5, 1989, file photo, Michael Chang falls to the ground crying after he defeated top-seeded Ivan Lendl at the French Open tennis championships in Paris. Chang, 17, toppled the top-seeded Lendl 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. (AP PhotoLionel Cironneau, File)

More AP Tennis: https://www.apnews.com/apf-Tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

FILE - In this June 10, 1984, file photo, Ivan Lendl serves to John McEnroe in the men's finals at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris. Lendl beat McEnroe 3-6, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5, 7-5. This one marked a significant pivot in Lendl's career: He entered the day 0-4 in major finals but ended up with eight trophies. (AP PhotoAdam Stoltman, File)

FILE - In this June 10, 1984, file photo, Ivan Lendl serves to John McEnroe in the men's finals at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris. Lendl beat McEnroe 3-6, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5, 7-5. This one marked a significant pivot in Lendl's career: He entered the day 0-4 in major finals but ended up with eight trophies. (AP PhotoAdam Stoltman, File)