French Open, also called as Roland Garros is the second Grand Slam of the year; which is held over 2 weeks between late May and early June. The tournament is held in Paris, France at the Stade Roland Garros. This was the first Grand Slam tournament to join the “Open” era which started in 1968 and since then many greats have played in this premier clay court tennis tournament in the world.
Similar to other Grand Slams, there are men’s and women’s singles competitions, men’s and women’s doubles, mixed doubles, juniors, wheelchair, legends and exhibition matches. The tournament was a grass court tournament from 1891 to 1927 when it was held in Stade Français and since then it is a clay court tournament. Roland Garros is the only Grand Slam which is still held on clay court and with its end, the clay court season terminates. It is one of the most prestigious as well as physically demanding tournaments in the world. The tournament has the widest worldwide broadcasting and audience of all regular events in tennis.
There are two major courts for the tournament- Court Philippe Chatrier and CourtSuzanne Lenglen.
The technique of playing on clay court is altogether different, as it is a slow surface. Clay courts slow down the pace of the ball and produce a high bounce as compared to grass courts or hard courts. The five set matches for men’s singles in this tournament extend to large durations with the last set without a tie-break. This makes Roland Garros the most grueling tournament in the world.
French Open Facts –
Venue - Stade Roland Garros
Surface – Red Clay
Men’s Singles – 128 players
Women’s Singles – 128 players
Women’s Doubles – 64 pairs
Men’s Doubles – 64 pairs
Trophies –
Women’s Singles
Coupe Suzanne Lenglen
Men’s Singles
Musketeers' Cup, named in honor of the Four Musketeers (tennis players Jean Borotra, Jacques Brugnon, Henri Cochet and René Lacoste).
Men's Doubles trophy
Coupe Jacques Brugnon
Women's Doubles trophy
Coupe Simone Mathieu
Mixed Doubles trophy
Coupe Marcel Bernard
The winners receive a replica of the trophy. Pure silver replicas of the trophies are fabricated and engraved by Maison Mellerio of Paris. The winner’s name is emblazoned on the plate holding the trophy.
In 2009, Roger Federer won the men’s singles title whereas Svetlana Kuznetsova won the women’s singles title. Lukas Dlouhy and Leander Paes won the men’s doubles title; Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual won the women’s doubles title; Liezel Huber and Bob Bryan won the mixed doubles title.