The French Open 2019 is underway and we couldn’t be more excited.
Named after the renowned French aviator Roland Garros who was killed in combat during the Great War, the French Open is the second of the tennis grand slams of a calendar year. It is the only grand slam held on the clay court and is one of the most anticipated events in the tennis world.
The tournament is held in Stade Roland Garros (Roland Garros Stadium), located in Paris, France. The 21-acre facility contains 20 courts.
French Open 2019
The 123rd edition of the French Open started on 26th May and it will end on 9th June.
The winners of the men’s and women’s singles title receive €2,300,000, an increase of €100,000 compared to 2018.
Defending champions
The defending champions of the French Open are Spaniard Rafael Nadal in the men’s singles category and Romanian Simona Halep in the women’s singles category.
French players Pierre-Hugues Herbert and France Nicolas Mahut are the defending champions in the men’s doubles category whereas Barbora Krejčíková and Kateřina Siniaková from the Czech Republic are the champions in the women’s singles category.
A Brief History of the French Open
The French Open was first played in 1891 when it was an event for players who belonged to French clubs. While the event was initially only for men, it opened to women in 1897. It was only much later in 1925 when the event was opened to participants from across the world.
In the year 1928, the tournament moved to the Roland Garros stadium and has been played there since.
It was suspended from 1940 to 1945 due to the World War. In 1968, the French Open became the first grand slam to become an open tournament.
Since then, it has come to be known as one of the popular and anticipated events of the tennis world.
Records, Trivia, and Facts about the French Open
- The Roland Garros title has eluded some of the biggest names in the tennis world. Despite being considered the best tennis players of all time, Pete Sampras, Boris Becker, John McEnroe, Martina Hingis, and Venus Williams have never won a French Open title in their career.
- Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal, widely known as the ‘King of Clay’, has won a record number of French Open men’s singles titles – 11. He won the tournament from 2005–2008, 2010–2014, and 2017–2018. He also holds the record for winning the most consecutive men’s singles titles.
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Image Source: Al Jazeera - In the women’s singles category, American Chris Evert holds the record for winning the most number of women’s singles titles – 7.
- At 16 years and 6 months, Monica Seles became the youngest ever winner of the French Open when she won the title in 1990.
- American Micheal Chang became the youngest man to win the French Open in 1989 when he won it at the age of 17 years and three months.
- French tennis player Andre Vacherot became the oldest winner of this grand slam when he won it at the age of 40 years and 9 months.
Who do you think will win the crown this year? Will Nadal win a record 12th title? Whom are you betting on? Do let us know!
