french open history
french open history
Kicking of this year on May 28th, French Open Tennis Tournament tickets promise to be a hot buy on any fan’s list. Leading names such as Rafael Nadal, the male singles tennis champion from Spain and Justine Henin-Hardenne, female singles champ from Belgium are only the beginning of the excitement mounting around this year’s title. On top of the exhilarating matches that will undoubtedly take place, this year’s prize money is more than any amount awarded in French Open history and for the first time, both the man and woman champion will be receiving equal pay.
Also known as the Tournoi de Roland-Garros, the French Open is a fast-paced tournament that takes place for two weeks in Paris, France and is the second Grand Slam tournament on the calendar for tennis fans. Starting out as only a national competition in 1891, the French Open didn’t turn international until 1925. The championship quickly became known as one of the four Grand Slam tournaments along with Wimbledon, the Australian Open and the US Open, making it one of the cornerstones of international tennis. The clay courts used in the stadium where the tournament is played makes it a challenge for many international competitors who are used to playing on grass courts. For example, tennis champs such as Pete Sampras and Roger Federer have won several Grand Slam tournaments, but never the French Open. Also, as of 1968, the French championship became the first ever Grand Slam tournament to ever go “open,” or allow the play of the professionals and amateurs.
Opening for the first time on a Sunday this year, Christian Bimes, the FTT chairman says that the federation hopes that this will make the tournaments kick-off more open to the public. "We want to take advantage of the exceptional promotional platform offered by launching the broadcast of one of tennis's biggest events on a Sunday, when the public are more available,” he commented. The stadium’s three main courts will hold a series of twelve games on opening day. The competition’s first round of singles matches will start off playing Sunday through Monday with the second half finishing up Monday through Tuesday. Last year’s champions Rafael Nadal and Justine Henin-Hardenne will both be returning to defend their titles.
With an all-star lineup and an unprecedented amount of prize money, this year’s tournament is a must-see for tennis fans around the world. Continuing to hold its spot as one of the tennis world’s four Grand Slam tournaments, French Tennis Open tickets will be hard to come by this year. Last minute tickets will be almost impossible to come by, which is why the earlier they’re bought the better. This year’s French Open promises to be one of the most electrifying in history held on one of the greatest clay courts in the world. Don’t miss the chance to see these rising stars in action.
