Joanne C. Gerstner: Spin Cycle

A better net needed for nuts at French Open and elsewhere

Tennis star Roger Federer had enough stress Sunday to twist anybody in knots. He badly wanted to win his first French Open, thereby completing a career Grand Slam.

He knew this would be one of his best chances, having unheralded Robin Soderling as his Finals opponent.

Nobody could have planned for the nut-job fan who jumped on the court at Roland Garros early in the second set, running toward Federer.

This idiot tried to put a red hat on Federer and violently waved a Barcelona soccer team banner. Federer, thankfully armed with his tennis racket, saw the threat coming and was able to push the guy away.

Security seemed to be caught napping, or perhaps were being typically too laid-back, as the fan was allowed to be on the court for what seemed like an eternity.

Officers finally restrained the guy, Federer regained his composure, and the match resumed. And yes, Federer won in straight sets and finally won his mythic title.

Parisian police reported the fan was apparently unarmed. I'd add he also was apparently unarmed of any intelligence.

But mon dieu, Batman. Holy shades of Monica Seles.

Having a fan on the court, coming to touch a player, is frightening. I can't remember something similar ever happening during the World Series, NBA Finals, the Masters or other big sporting events.

But tennis, sadly, is different. Seles was stabbed in the back by a crazed fan during a match in 1993, altering the course of her stellar career.

The French should be grateful that Federer was unharmed and able to maintain his composure.

Virtual insanity

The ego of an athlete can be a delicate thing.

Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall is dealing with a crushing blow to his psyche, courtesy of the Madden video-game franchise.

Hall has been severely downgraded in the latest version of Madden, with his personal player rating plunging by 25 points. The higher the player rating, the greater stud they are in the game.

Hall is definitely peeved, according to Redskins.com. He's trying to raise his value the old-fashioned way, by playing well in the NFL season and getting EA to add some points to his value.

"But as the release date gets closer, I'm starting to get a little bit more paranoid," Hall told Redskins.com. "I'm thinking about trying to get my name and likeness pulled off the game entirely. 'Cause this is bull."

We all have our crosses to bear.

joanne.gerstner@detnews.com (313) 223-4644