Roland Garros (French Open)

Roland Garros or more commonly known in the UK as the French Open. This tennis tournament is one of the four major tennis events in the calendar year. Other Grand Slam tennis events are the US Open, Wimbledon and the Australian Open. All four events are prestigious where the top tennis players from all around the world come to play.

The French Open will commence in the 24th May through to 7th June and takes place in Paris. It was first part of the grand slam way back in 1928 however the first French men’s singles competition was in 1891 and the ladies was in 1897. This event was originally open to French players only and it wasn’t until 1925 that international players were invited to compete.

The event is the only grand slam to be held on a clay court which slows the ball down. Expect to find long rallies and long games. The longest men’s final was 4hrs 42mins - Mats Wilander def. Guillermo Vilas (1982) whilst the longest ladies final was 3hrs 4mins - Steffi Graf def. Arantxa Sanchez (1996). There have been longer matches by a mile, in 2004 there was the epic 6hr 33mins match between Fabrice Santoro def. Arnaud Clément.

There have been some amazing accomplishments at the French Open. There are 2 players who have won the event 4years on the trot, Bjorn Borg (1978-1981) and Rafael Nadal who managed it twice (2005-2008 and 2010-2013). Rafael Nadal has the record of the most wins with 8 singles titles but Henri Cochet has won 9 titles (singles: 1926, 1928, 1930, 1932; doubles: 1927, 1930, 1932; mixed doubles: 1928, 1929). If you thought 4 consecutive singles titles was impressive then Roy Emerson’s 6 consecutive doubles titles (1960-65) is just as impressive.

The ladies tennis players aren’t too far behind the men. Chris Evert has won 7 singles titles through the 70s and 80s. Only 4 ladies have won 3 consecutive singles titles Helen Wills-Moody (1928-1930), Hilde Sperling (1935-1937), Monica Seles (1990-1992) and Justine Henin (2005-2007). A name renowned with single dominance of tennis, Martina Navratilova has the record with 7 doubles titles. The person who has won the most titles with 13 titles is Margaret Smith-Court, (singles: 1962, 1964, 1969, 1970, 1973; doubles: 1964, 1965, 1966, 1973; mixed doubles: 1963, 1964, 1965, 1969).

Other interesting facts

La Coupe des Mousquetaires ( English terminology -  The Musketeers' Trophy) is the trophy awarded to the winner of the Men's Singles Tennis competition at the French Open.

La Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen is the womens tennis trophy awarded to the winner of the ladies singles tennis competition at the French Open

Youngest Male Winner Michael Chang (1989- 17yrs 3mth)

Youngest Ladies Winner Monica Seles (1990- 16yrs 6mths)