“Svetlana Kuznetsova can make it and she’s someone I like and appreciate a lot. So I wish that it will be her in two weeks’ time” - newly retired French Open champion Justine Henin on who she wants to inherit her title

Some would call her a players’ player, respected by those within the game but largely ignored by those on the periphery and virtually unknown by the tennis-watching public. Therefore the novelty of the occasion prompted an ironic smile. Regardless of spending the majority of the past four years as one the world’s five best female tennis players, winning the US Open title and reaching another two major finals, Svetlana Kuznetsova isn’t normally required when the cameras are focused on the glamour of the female game.

While Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic monopolise the photo shoots and the Williams sisters revel in celebrity status that transcends the tennis court, Kuznetsova is used to being ignored. In fact she positively subscribes to the point of view that anonymity has its benefits and enjoys the ability to stroll around the great cities of the world without a posse of paparazzi in her wake.

Yet for once the 22-year-old Russian is in demand. First there was the costume fitting for the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour’s controversial promotional film that intruded so much into the players’ time off that Sharapova threatened to boycott the production and risk a $700,000 fine. Then there were hairstylists and make-up artists before two hours on a set by the rooftop pool, filming a scene at a fictitious glamorous party, surrounded by a throng of beautiful people.

Indisputably not the normal domain of the player everyone on the tour refers to simply as Sveta. “A very different experience for me,” she admitted. “I don’t usually get asked to be involved in those sort of things but if I’m not going to be one of the players who is photographed all the time, that’s fine. I’m cool with that.

“There are times when women’s tennis is wrongly judged on what the player’s image is all about rather than what is the quality of her game. I am not prepared to undergo a makeover. I am not going on the court to show off my dress. I am going out there to play.

“However, it’s wrong to complain about it too much because I know it is the appeal of the glamorous players that brings people to the matches. It wins television contracts. It makes women’s tennis more popular, but I wish people would focus more on what happens on the court. Sometimes I do wish people would ask me more questions and take more of an interest but I’m fine with myself. People who know me tend to like me and that’s the important thing.”

In terms of threatened boycotts, Kuznetsova would never dream of being so rebellious as her rival and compatriot Sharapova, but neither is she expecting the appearance in the production to be a life-changing experience. However, she could well be forced to reconsider if a second major title comes her way in the next fortnight and, after the retirement of Justine Henin, the chances are good.

The French Open’s women’s singles draw has a lopsided look. While Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic, both Williams sisters and potential teenage breakthrough players such as Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska and France’s Alize Cornet are all packed in the bottom half, Kuznetsova and Sharapova are the only two stand-out performers in the top.

And there is something about Paris that inspires Kuznetsova. “It’s a romantic city,” she enthuses. “There’s lots of love, lots of passion. When I play tennis there I feel all those emotions. The French is a very important tournament for me. It’s hard to put into words because the tournament is just so different for me. I love it. I have felt that way since first coming here to play in the junior tournament. Maybe it was that the first time I came to Paris I was so much in love with someone but it’s not just about memories. I feel so motivated walking into the place every year. One year I know I’m going to win the title.”

There have been some near misses and she winces at the memory of opportunities lost. There were the two match points squandered in the fourth round against Anastasia Myskina in 2004 when the raven-haired Russian went on to take the title. A year later at the same stage, a split-second’s impetuosity ruined another chance against eventual champion Henin and in 2006 she made the final before losing to the diminutive Belgian.

Now Myskina and Henin are no longer on the tour and most believe the battle for at least one final place is simply between Sharapova and Kuznetsova, with the disparity between the two Russians so obvious. One is festooned with endorsement contracts, the other is not viewed as marketable in the domain of perfumes, jewellery or other female accoutrements and simply has deals with her racket and clothing manufacturers. One actually lives in their mother country and is in the process of buying an apartment in Moscow, the other makes only rare visits.

One is better known for her image than her game, the other respected as a player of enormous strength and determination. “I don’t hold any grudges against Maria and never have. She has different marketing, she’s more a commercial type of person. I don’t concern myself thinking about those things and think it is my game that is more interesting.

“I like to be the person everyone in the locker room gets along with, so sure, I would like people to get to know me better. I am not doing too many commercials but the important thing is to be respected.

“I try to be myself. I am a very open person who likes to have fun. I don’t want to be a clown but life can be fun and I like to make jokes. Outside of the court I don’t like to wish people bad things but when I get on [the court] I am fighter.”

While Henin wants Kuznetsova to win the French Open title, the watching public need to be convinced of the Russian’s credentials. She knows the next fortnight is her great opportunity.