French Open

ITV broadcast a three-year deal for the French Open

2011-10-28T11:45:00.000-07:00

ITV broadcast a three-year deal for the French Open is safe.

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Starting next year, the broadcasters on ITV4 and ITV.com will have six hours of daily live coverage, and will show the men's and women's singles finals live on ITV1.

Niall Sloane, ITV controller of sport, said: "It's the first time that a grand slam has been shown live on ITV and with around six hours of coverage over each day of the tournament we'll be offering viewers more free-to-air coverage of the tournament than ever before."

The French Open runs from May 27 to June 10 in 2012, ITV's terrestrial deal, announced a special BBC television coverage of the tournament to finish the move.

The BBC announced this week that his three years at Wimbledon 2017 Broadcast, is a contract extension.

French Open champion Li Na now the London 2012 Olympic Games

2011-09-29T12:35:00.000-07:00

French Open champion Li Na now the London 2012 Olympic Games and showed a good performance.

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Li Na to win China's first player to become a Grand Slam singles final of French Open when she beat Francesca Schiavone in August.

Li said, “Competing at the Olympic Games requires a ranking in the top 50.Although my ranking is OK for that now, I still have to work hard to maintain my form”.

According to the Xinhua reports that Li is currently ranked fifth in world rankings.

She said, “I think the London Games next year will be my last Olympics, so I hope I can do well there”.

She said, “Concerning the grass courts for the Olympics, I have a plan for that.After Wimbledon next year, I will stay there to gear up for the Olympics. I hope I can become well accustomed to the grass courts”.

French Open champion Li Na of China lost the first round

2011-09-16T04:27:00.000-07:00

French Open champion Li Na of China lost the first round of the U.S. Open, a tournament with the women's Grand Slam champions left.

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Li, seeded sixth, lost 6-2, 7-5 to Simona Halep of Romania, as a first round loser at Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic join.

The Australian Open and reigning U.S. Open champion, Kim Clijsters of Belgium, this year they missing U.S. Open because of a strained stomach muscle.

Rafael Nadal: Wimbledon, French Open for Nadal to Deja Vu's

2011-06-27T03:53:00.000-07:00

Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in the second week is a familiar face in between. Excellent and masterful Spaniard tennis with the talented forward. Rafa Nadal at Wimbledon, with our history will be again.

Spaniard home the opening round of the French Open a few weeks ago I was still looking down.

In Roland Garros, tennis star Roger Federrer more polished as seen on the skin. If not, then Novak Djokovic will take home a grand slam title.

Still, young legs, Nadal got stronger as the tournament progressed. This domination was unquestioned until the end.

However, we found for Federer's opening match in great shape. Nadal has been impressive in the first act is a bit slow. Their work is always slow grass growth.

Gilles Mueller on Saturday in the victory, Nadal, slowed by a lingering foot problem seen to, yet still polished off the German.

Li Na is a first major for Chinese to win at French Open

2011-06-04T08:35:00.000-07:00

China's long wait for a Grand Slam champion on last Saturday when Li Na beat Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 7-6 (0) play in the French Open final.

Australian Open second red clay from falling flat on his back in the celebrated match point after a very hit backhand Schiavone.

Roland Garros crowd in red Chinese flags and a small, vocal Schiavone was dotted with rescue groups.

2011-05-13T14:35:00.000-07:00

Kim Clijsters is now well from his shoulder, wrist and ankle injuries and is on schedule to play in the French Open, which games start on 22nd May.

"There are no signs anything is going bad," her spokesman, Gert Van Goolen said Friday.

Clijsters is a runner for two time at the French Open and slow clay is generally considered her weakest surface. Over the past week, she had been considered doubtful to compete in Paris.

Early last month after he had been sidelined and the court resumed training only last week. A final decision expected next week to Belgium.

Van Goolen said by phone, "After this weekend she has to be sure whether to focus all on Paris and leave (to go) there, or decide whether to stay home".

Kim Clijsters will miss a month of the season at French Open

2011-04-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

Kim Clijsters will miss a month of the season because her's shoulder and wrist injuries, and she had second ranked in the women’s tennis tour.

She will also miss the semifinals of the Fed Cup next week and a tournament in Madrid, she said on her website that the medical staff suggested that she rest between four to six weeks. She should be ready for an event in Rome, starting May 9, and the French Open

She said, “I don’t want to force anything, because I want to prevent it from becoming chronic. I really want to be there at this year’s Roland Garros.”

She said, In this period she’s not allowed to use a tennis racket.

French Open 2011 video clips

2011-03-07T07:23:00.000-08:00

Tsonga reaches Marseille quarters

2011-02-24T17:22:00.000-08:00

The quarterfinals has been reached by the French crowd favorite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, with a come-from-behind second-round victory Wednesday at the $785,000 Open 13 tennis event.

The first set against Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky has been dropped by Tsonga before charging back for a 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 decision on the indoor surface at Palais des Sports.

The first round concluded here on Wednesday, as fifth-seeded Croat Ivan Ljubicic leveled Kazakhstan's Andrey Golubev 6-2, 6-4 and German Philipp Petzschner ousted seventh-seeded Latvian Ernests Gulbis 7-6 (7-2), 6-1.

Additional first-round action saw Edouard Roger-Vasselin top fellow Frenchman Arnaud Clement 6-3, 6-2 and French favorite Gilles Simon stop fellow former top-10 star Nikolay Davydenko of Russia 7-6 (8-6), 6-4. Simon captured this event in 2007, while the veteran Clement was the 2006 winner.

Soderling beats Cilic in Open 13 final

2011-02-20T10:25:00.000-08:00

Marin Cilic of Croatia has been beaten by Soderling in the final of the Open 13 to earn his ninth career title.

17 out of 18 matches has been won by top-seeded Swede,grabbing titles in Rotterdam last weekend and in Brisbane last month.

The French Open finalist saved four set points in the tiebreaker of the first set, but Cilic converted the fifth when a backhand return from Soderling sailed wide.

Soderling hit a forehand pass down the line to take a 4-3 lead in the next set. He leveled at one set apiece when Cilic hit an approach shot wide.

French Open to stay at Roland Garros

2011-02-16T05:59:00.000-08:00

Jean Gachassin,President of the French Tennis Federation has confirmed that the French Open will continue to be played on the outskirts of Paris at the iconic Roland Garros site.

To host tennis’ prestigious event three groups had made bids on different parts of the French capital.Gonesse is the first place and second place Versailles,the both eliminated while most of the votes goes to Roland Garros over Marne-la- Vallee.

World class players such as Spaniard Rafael Nadal did not favour of the change of location.

“Roland Garros should remain here, because here we can breathe the history of tennis within these walls. It’s very important, whereas if we move elsewhere, maybe the site is going to be bigger, we’re going to lose part of our soul,” the five time French Open winner had said.

Nadal expects quick recovery

2011-02-06T13:42:00.000-08:00

From the leg injury the world number Rafael Nadal expects to have recovered in 10 days.The injury scuppered his attempts to win his fourth grand slam title in a row at the Australian Open.

Nadal had dreamt of holding all four Grand Slam titles at the same time after winning the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open in 2010.He was urged to sit back and see Novak Djokovic (7/1 to win French Open) claim the Australian Open title.

Tests on the injured leg showed Nadal (13/8 Wimbledon Outright) ruptured the adductor longus muscle in his right thigh in Melbourne, but he should not be out of action for too long.

A statement on his personal website said: "Doctors estimate a recovery period of about 10 days from today."

Schiavone aims to play until she's 40

2011-01-31T03:35:00.000-08:00

Italian Francesca Schiavone confirms that she can play until she's 40.On a maiden Australian Open quarter-final appearance and career-high ranking she refuses to be satisfied over it.

To acquire a maiden grand slam title by downing Australia's Samantha Stosur in the final of last year's French Open,she became the second - oldest player to achieve it,fell to world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki 3-6 6-3 6-3 at Melbourne Park on Tuesday.

After having led 3-1 in the second,She could easily have blamed fatigue for failing to capitalise on that advantage despite playing the long innings.

But the fitness fanatic refused to use that four hour, 44 minute-triumph over Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova as an excuse, instead blaming herself.

"I should take my chance much more. Next time I want to do it," she said.

Schiavone is through to the quarter-finals

2011-01-23T06:16:00.000-08:00

The French Open Champion triumph in a contest that will live long in the memory for those on Hisense Arena by edging the four -hour and 44-minute epic with a 4-6 6-1 16-14.

"It is a fantastic moment for me," said the sixth seed afterwards. "It is one of the most emotional moments of my life. I just told myself to keep going, do it with the heart and go for it."

Schiavone in order to capture a decisive break at 14-14, saved six match points en route after reaching desperately for a crosscourt volley that left Kuznetsova flat-footed at the net.Kuznetsova saved two match points with a baseline winner

Schiavone wil now face top seed Caroline Wozniacki who beated Anastasija Sevastova and recorded another straight sets victory.

Wozniacki, Sharapova, Venus sail into round two of Australian Open

2011-01-17T06:58:00.000-08:00

To commence her Australian campaign in style world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki overcame a nervy performance with victory over Argentina's Gisela Dulko.

Wozniacki, playing her first Grand Slam event as world number one, won 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 41 minutes, the BBC reports.

Maria Sharapova,the former world no.1 and 2008 champion also enter second round by beating Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-1, 6-3.

Reigning French Open champion Francesca Schiavone struggled before silencing Spaniard Arantxa Parra Santonja 6-7, 6-2, 6-4.

Fourth seed Venus Williams was worked hard by Sara Errani before prevailing 6-3, 6-2.

The 30-year-old, whose sister and defending champion Serena is absent through a foot injury, has not played a tournament since the US Open in September.

French Open's future decided next month

2011-01-11T14:40:00.000-08:00

To host the French Open beginning in 2016, reviews of bid has been completed by the French tennis federation.

The clay-court Grand Slam from Roland Garros reallocation was considered because it needed more space to remain competitive with the three other majors.

Ahead of next month's general assembly, when the federation will make its decision,Federation officials where given a presentation of the Versailles bid on Saturday.

Three other places are being considered, including first which would see the tournament staying in an expanded Roland Garros venue. The two other bidders are the towns of Gonesse and Marne-la-Vallee, near Disneyland Paris.

Nadal, Federer reached Doha semis

2011-01-06T12:38:00.000-08:00

Two-time winner Roger Federer and last year runner up Nadal entered in the semifinals at the season-opening Qatar Open, a hardcourt Australian Open tune-up.

The world No. 1 Nadal got past fifth-seeded Latvian Ernests Gulbis 7-6 (7-3), 6-3, while the second-seeded former top-ranked Federer blew past sixth-seeded Serb Viktor Troicki 6-2, 6-2 at Khalifa Tennis Complex on Thursday

Nadal who have won so many titles like U.S. Open, Wimbledon and French Open will face Russian star Nikolay Davydenko in Friday's semifinals in a rematch of last year's finale here, which was won by the speedy Russian in three sets.

Gulbis who ripped 12 aces in a losing effort, in 1 hour, 51 minutes. The difference in the match was breaks of serve, as Nadal tallied three, compared to only one for the loser from Latvia.

Federer erased Troicki in 65 minutes, as he broke his Serbian counterpart four times, while Troicki failed to enjoy even one break-point chance in the lopsided affair.

Players to watch in 2011

2011-01-01T14:53:00.000-08:00

Kim Clijsters:

It's all there for Kim Clijsters, Lets see how focus she is.Can she be improve more than she was in 2010?

I think she has a real chance to dominate the game as Serena is out of picture.

Even if she plays at 80 per cent, it should be enough for her to win major tournaments.

Justine Henin:

Henin after injury next week is due to make her come back and had a great chance.

According to her she would not be able to play in the same rhythm till July,but it seems that she had herself set a way to get relax for some time.

If there would no further injuries I would expect her to be knocking on the door by the French Open and she's one of the favourites to win Roland Garros.

Maria Sharapova:

It has been a staccato few months for Maria as she fights back from injury.

However the old phrase about form being temporary and class permanent really does apply to her.

I wouldn't be surprised to see her challenging in all four Grand Slams in 2011; but, once again, that will only happen if she can stay injury-free.

French Open: Australian Fed Cup

2010-12-18T02:58:00.001-08:00

French Open champion Franesca Schiavone after being named in an extended Australian Fed Cup squad to play Italy early next year.

At Roland Garros World No.6 Stosur lost to Schiavone in this year's final on Thursday for the February 5-6 tie in Hobart.

Jarmila Groth and Sophie Ferguson are a better opportunity to make their Fed Cup debuts. For their captain David Taylor and coach Nivole Bradtke will select the final team.

Australian French Open starts in Melbourne on January 17.

French Open: Australian Fed Cup

2010-12-18T02:41:00.000-08:00

French Open champion Franesca Schiavone after being named in an extended Australian Fed Cup squad to play Italy early next year.

At Roland Garros World No.6 Stosur lost to Schiavone in this year's final on Thursday for the February 5-6 tie in Hobart.
Jarmila Groth and Sophie Ferguson are a better opportunity to make their Fed Cup debuts. For their captain David Taylor and coach Nivole Bradtke will select the final team.
Australian French Open starts in Melbourne on January 17.

Soderling makes a break

2010-12-08T05:31:00.000-08:00

According to reports Robin Soderling has split from his coach, Magnus Norman, as the Swede looks to step up to the next level.

For the last two year Robin was engaged with Norman,in these two years he had achieve a immense success and he jumps from 35th position to world number five.

The two-time French Open finalist says he is hoping to appoint a successor in the next week, as he begins his preparation for the 2011 campaign.

Spain's Carlos Moya announces retirement due to injury

2010-11-28T08:20:00.000-08:00

Carlos Moya former French Open Champion has announced his retirement due to foot injury.

In 1998 French Open final Carlos beat fellow Spaniard Alex Corretja in straight sets said "It's not how I dreamt of ending".

Moya, runner-up at the Australian Open the previous year, went on to briefly become world number one in 1999

Moreover he also won Davis Cup for Spain but was plagued by injuries in the later stages of his 15-year career.

He plans to play one more tournament in Seville next month before calling it quits.
"I wanted to say goodbye at one of the big tournaments, the Grand Slams, but that dream wasn't to be,"

"I am still young for life but for sport, I am already knocking on a bit."

Elizabeth Cann loses French Open quarter-final

2010-11-14T13:44:00.000-08:00

At the French Open in Paris on Friday Elizabeth Cann was knocked out of the quarter-finals.

Cann led in both games against Thailand's Porntip Buranaprasertsuk before going down 21-15 21-18

Hopes of Nathan Robertson and Jenny Wallwork's for a second Super Series final in successive weeks were also dashed.

The Commonwealth silver and European bronze medallists lost to Sudket Prapakamol and Saralee Thoungthongkam 22-20 17-21 21-19.

In the men's doubles Andrew Ellis and Chris Adcock came within two points of beating Danish fifth seeds Mads Conrad-Petersen and Jonas Rasmussen before losing 23-25 22-20 21-14.

In winning bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, Cann became the first person from Jersey to pick up an individual medal since 1990.

Nadal French Open Winner

2010-11-05T16:03:00.001-07:00

Nadal, 24, who has won Wimbledon, US Open and French Open this year has pulled out of next week's BNP Paribas Masters tournament in Paris.

The reason behind his withdrawal revealed by his tour official was some medical issues, officials confirmed that he will be press conferencing in the French capital on Sunday or Monday.

World number one Rafael Nadal want to be fully fit for the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London which start on November 21.

He is guaranteed to finish the year on top of the world rankings.

Andy Murray, I'll never win the French Open

2010-10-03T11:40:00.000-07:00

Andy Murray has great opportunity of winning the French Open but he has not quite raised win the match. Murray feared because he never win after his third round in a Grand Slam exit from the US Open last month. At this week's China Open in Beijing he speaking before returning to action.

The British No1 said: ' I hope that the French Open will be my best chance to win but, if I play well , I'II own give opportunity to win in French Open but it’s very difficult right now because these guys at the top are playing very well.’

Murray said: ‘I don’t want to go for anyone. It might be a mistake after three or four months.’

‘I’m going to keep working with Alex through to the end of the year, then I look to appoint someone before the start of the new year when I’ve got a bit of time to try some coaches out.’

Murray is also looking again to pair up with Laura Robson, a partnership that provided him with a springboard to reach the Australian Open final eight months ago.

Rafael Nadal: French Open win more important than reclaiming No 1 spot

2010-06-09T02:33:00.000-07:00

French Open champion Rafael Nadal has returned to No 1 in the ATP rankings 11 months after relinquising it to Roger Federer, but the Spaniard insists winning his seventh grand slam means more to him.

Rafael Nadal's fifth title at the French Open — a year after he was upset in the fourth round — gave him enough rankings points to move up from second place.

He was ranked No 1 for 46 weeks previously, but was overtaken by Roger Federer in July 2009.

"Believe me, I am very happy" about getting back to the top, Nadal said after beating Robin Soderling 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 in Sunday's French Open final. But the 24-year-old Spaniard also made perfectly clear that he was more excited about winning his seventh Grand Slam title than his new ranking.

"When I was crying after the match," he said, "the last thing I was thinking (about was) No1."

Toni Nadal, Rafael's uncle and coach, agreed.

"Being No 1 is nice after the tournament," Toni Nadal said, "but the most important thing is the trophy."

Nadal's promotion to the top spot brings and end to Federer's campaign of tying Pete Sampras' career record of 286 weeks at No 1 - the Swiss player was just one week off the achievement.

Federer won last year's French Open, but he lost to Soderling in the quarterfinals last week.

Soderling's second consecutive runner-up finish at Roland Garros — he also was the player who stunned Nadal in 2009 — allowed him to rise one place to a career-high No 6.

"This was very, very important for the rest of the season, to build a little bit of confidence and to be able to play better and better for every match." said Soderling's coach, Magnus Norman.

"Because he was tense going in. The last couple of weeks before the French, he was talking a lot about how many (rankings) points he has to defend."

Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Nikolay Davydenko complete the top five.

The French Open also saw Andy Roddick climb one spot to seventh and reigning US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro slide two notches to eighth. He missed the French Open due to injury.

Men's rankings as of Monday June 7:

1. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8700 pts (+1)
2. Roger Federer (SUI) 8390 (-1)
3. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 6675
4. Andy Murray (GBR) 5385
5. Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) 4785
6. Robin Soderling (SWE) 4755 (+1)
7. Andy Roddick (USA) 4510 (+1)
8. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 4395 (-2)
9. Fernando Verdasco (ESP) 3645
10. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 3185
11. David Ferrer (ESP) 3010
12. Marin Cilic (CRO) 2945
13. Tomas Berdych (CZE) 2825 (+4)
14. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) 2690
15. Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) 2215 (+1)
16. J|rgen Melzer (AUT) 2125 (+11)
17. Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) 2095 (+1)
18. Nicolas Almagro (ESP) 1960 (+3)
19. John Isner (USA) 1925
20. Gael Monfils (FRA) 1905 (-5)

French Open: King of Clay Rafael Nadal claims fifth Roland Garros title

2010-06-07T01:51:00.001-07:00

RAFAEL NADAL saw off Sweden's Robin Soderling yesterday to land his fifth French Open title and reclaim his crown as the King of Clay.
The Spanish star saved his best performance of the tournament for the final with the emphatic 6-4 6-2 6-4 victory earning Nadal sweet revenge on the only man who has ever beaten him on the clay courts at Roland Garros.
And as Soderling's final shot landed in the net, Nadal slid on to his back on the red clay and screamed with delight.
Nadal is now just the second man to win the French Open five times and next year he'll have a chance to match Bjorn Borg's record of six titles.
He has now won 38 matches at Roland Garros and only lost one with his sole defeat coming against Soderling in the fourth round a year ago.
His latest Grand Slam victory sees Nadal reclaim the world No.1 spot from Roger Federer and represents a remarkable turnaround for the player who endured a horror 2009.
Not only did the 24-year-old lose his clay court crown in Paris last year but he had to deal with the separation of his parents and a serious knee injury that contributed to a prolonged slump.
Nadal, who began to cry when he returned to his seat at the end of the match, said: "It's the most emotional day in my career.
"It was a difficult year for me last year. It was difficult to accept the injuries and everything. It was a really emotional moment for me. After you win this big title you lose your tension."
The second seed had not lost a set all tournament and he blew the on-form Sorderling away with some blistering tennis.
Nad a l w o n s e v en consecutive games at one point, held every serve and saved al l eight break points he faced. The Spaniard showed his knee problem is well behind him as he raced around the court. He skidded across the clay and lunged to dig shots out of the corners, repeatedly extending point s unt i l Soderling finally misfired.
The 25-year-old Swede - who upset top seed Roger Federer in the quarter-finals, tried to win points quickly and sometimes did, but most of the long rallies went Nadal's way.
Before the first set ended, the fifth seed was panting between points. To compound his woes, he had an off day with his serve, his biggest weapon.
He managed only seven aces, the same number as Nadal. During the other six rounds on his route to the final, Soderling had 75 aces and Nadal 12.
The world No.7 said: "I didn't play as well as I did against him last year and didn't serve as well. I wasn't hitting the ball as clean. It was tough."
Soderling has yet to win a major title and it was the second year in a row he had finished runner-up in Paris after losing the 2009 final to Federer.
But he said: "I love this tournament. I will come back next year and hope it will be third time lucky."
Nadal's victory saw him improve his record to 22-0 this year on clay. It was also the second time he had won all 21 sets on his way to the title. Only two other men in the Open era have won the title without losing a set - Borg and Ilie Nastase.
Nada l , who now switches to grass where he'l l seek a second Wimbledon title after missing last year's event due to injury, said: "I'd been nervous during the tournament but today I was calm. It was a very special day."

French Open: My controversial underwear isn't worn to be provocative, says Venus Williams

2010-05-27T02:12:00.000-07:00

VENUS WILLIAMS gave questions about her striking tennis outfit the bum's rush at the French Open yesterday.

The self-designed cheeky little number she wore as she brushed aside Spaniard Arantxa Parra Santonja 6-2 6-4 in the second round drew more questions than her game.

Williams wore the same black lace seethrough skirted bodice that exposed her skin-coloured underwear she had worn against Patty Schnyder in the first round.

But the American, who also caused controversy with her outfit at the Australian Open, denied the dress was deliberately provocative.

She said: "That was never the objective. It all started in Australia where I had a dress with really long slits in the front. It was about wearing a dress that looks like you have these slits with bareness.

"This design has nothing to do with the rear. It just so happens that I have a very well developed one.

"The illusion of just having bare skin is definitely, for me, a lot more beautiful."

She was asked one question about her victory over Santonja and Williams said: "On the bigger points, especially on my serve, I played those really well, and I think that was key."

Williams now faces 26th seed Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia who avoided an upset after coming from a set down to crush Varvara Lepchenko from the USA 4-6 6-2 6-0.

On a rain-hit fourth day at Roland Garros 14th seed Flavia Pennetta followed up her victory over Britain's Anne Keothavong with a 6-1 6-1 success against fellow Italian Roberta Vinci.

Russian Nadia Petrova (19) cruised past Hungary's Agnes Szavay 6-1 6-2, while Romainan Alexandra Dulgheru (31) defeated Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland 6-4 6-2.

French Open 2010 preview - The Men

2010-05-20T02:33:00.001-07:00

World order was restored to men’s tennis on Sunday as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal faced each other for the first time, almost to the day, in one year. Even more reassuring – for those of us who like to know where we stand – was the result.

Twelve months ago Nadal’s defeat by Federer in the Madrid final was the spark for the Majorcan’s loss of his French Open and Wimbledon titles and would raise serious question marks about how long his knees would let him continue. On Sunday Nadal pounded the red earth as only he can. He was back to his unbeatable best – and even Federer couldn’t do anything about it.

So are all bets off for this year’s French Open ? Will we look back on last year as a mere blip in history? Can anyone take out Nadal at Roland Garros? And does anyone other than Federer stand a chance of being at the other side of the net on June 6? Sport.co.uk takes a look at the men trying to muscle-in on Roland Garros 2010.

2010 French Open betting - Roger Federer drifts, more support for Rafael Nadal

2010-04-28T02:09:00.001-07:00

Roger Federer has been pushed out in the betting for the 2010 French Open following a shock defeat at the Rome Masters on Tuesday
The world number one was beaten 2-6 6-1 7-5 by the un-seeded youngster Ernest Gulbis in the second round at the ATP Rome.
Federer had been idle on tour since losing in Miami last month and had been drifting to win the French Open ever since, at least partly due to Rafael Nadal's recent dominance on clay, as recently shown at the Monte Carlo Masters.
World number one Federer can currently be backed to win at Roland Garros at a best price 10/3 with bodog, who are offering new customers £125 in free bets when opening an account.
While the Swiss will undoubtedly have his supporters in the market ahead of the start play in France next month, punters would be advised not to back him right now. Going into this week's tournament in Rome, Federer has not been in good form thus far this year and although he plays his best tennis at the Grand Slams, you may be better off either looking elsewhere or holding off until the French Open gets underway.

Federer is losing a little bit of favor to take down the 2010 French Open

2010-04-01T04:00:00.000-07:00

Roger Federer has fallen fairly early in back to back Masters Series 1000 events as he fell to Marcos Baghdatis in Indian Wells a couple weeks ago and he fell to Tomas Berdych in Miami earlier this week. Likely as a result, Federer's odds have drifted a little in the future's market to win the 2010 French Open, an event where he will be the defending champion.

Historically the French Open is Federer's worst slam as the 2009 title is the only title that he has in his career from Roland Garros. With what we have seen from Fed in the past few weeks you can't really open your betting with Federer any longer in the French Open market and if you bet him earlier for the event, then you might want to consider abandoning him now and taking some of the longshots instead.

2010 French Open Tennis

2010-03-08T02:39:00.001-08:00

The French Open is billed as the most challenging of all the grand slams and the 2010 French Open tennis tournament is sure to adhere to the rigours and robust competitiveness so typical of the second of the annual tennis 'majors'.
Hosted by one of the most romantic cities in the world, Paris, the 2010 French Open will run from May 24th to June 7th and this year's tournament is sure to unleash some of the most riveting grand slam tennis.
Time to reserve your seat on centre court, the famed Court Philippe Chatrier, by purchasing French Open Tickets . Thousands more are expected to arrive at the spectacular Roland Garros French Open venue over the two weeks of the competition in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the fabled combatants of clay court tennis.

Hip surgery sidelines Hewitt till French Open

2010-02-02T02:52:00.001-08:00

MELBOURNE — Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt will be out of action for at least three months after undergoing hip surgery following his exit from the Australian Open.
The Australian world number 22, who was beaten in straight sets by top seed Roger Federer in the fourth round, hopes to return in time to play some European clay court tournaments ahead of the French Open in late May.
"After I finished the Australian Open, I had to go in and have hip surgery on my right hip," said the 28-year-old dual Grand Slam winner, who hobbled into his press conference Saturday on crutches.

"It's been causing a few problems since the Hopman Cup at the start of the year. It wasn't an easy decision to make, but one that I felt was necessary right at the moment."
It is the second time Hewitt has had to undergo hip surgery.

The last operation, on his left hip, was immediately after the Beijing Olympics in August 2008, and he was out of action until January last year.

Despite the latest setback, Hewitt said he "absolutely" had the desire to keep playing.
"I could have waited a couple of weeks, see if it settled down a little bit better straight after playing a tournament," he said.

"At the end of the day, from the scans I had before the Australian Open, speaking to the experts that I had around me, we pretty much knew that the decision was out of my hands at the moment.

"Obviously, what I play for these days are the Grand Slams.
"If I waited any longer to have anything done, it would have been very similar to 2008 where I prolonged it because I didn't exactly know what was going on and ended up missing the US Open because of it.

"For me having it done right now, I'll be back ready for the French Open."
Hewitt will now be unavailable to lead Australia in their Group I Asia/Oceania Davis Cup tie against Taiwan in Melbourne on March 5-7

who will be king and queen of clay at Roland Garros? French Open Finals Odds

2009-08-25T03:07:00.000-07:00

Handicappers will get to see an exciting treat this weekend as there are wonderful storylines for both sets of French Open finals odds. On the men’s side, with no Rafael Nadal around, the French Open finals odds argue that Roger Federer will win his first ever French Open title. On the women’s side, it will be the third ever all Russian women’s final as No. 1 seed Dinara Safina will take on Svetlana Kuznetsova.
French Open Finals Odds
Federer -415, Safina -245 to win French Open
Safina returns after losing in 2008 French Open Finals
Federer bearing for first ever French Open win after four consecutive finals advent While most of the French Open finals betting crowd will be zoning in on the men’s final on Sunday, Saturday’s women’s final also presents an entertaining tilt. For only the third time ever in the Grand Slam era, there will be an all Russian final with Safina, the world’s No. 1, facing off with Kuznetsova.
It’s a bit of a delight to see Kuznetsova factoring in the French Open finals odds, mostly because she has been very changeable in her career. She won the 2004 US Open and looked to be on her way to bigger and better things, but all she’s accomplished since then has been a finals presentation in the 2006 French Open and the 2007 US Open. On the other hand, Safina, the younger sister of Marat Safin, has been a rising star in the sport ever since her performance in the French Open finals last year. Safina went on to win Olympic gold in Beijing and then was the runner up at the US Open. Safina speculationed to the French Open finals last season and will be looking to be successful where she failed. She’s playing the best tennis on the women’s side and should get the win.
On the men’s side, Federer is a huge favorite on the French Open finals odds, but he had better not take No. 23 seed Robin Soderling lightly. Soderling knocked out Rafael Nadal in one of the longest surprises of the sporting world this season, so Federer has to be sharp. Soderling is playing his best tennis ever and, after beating Nadal, he’s clearly confident. Soderling has never been to a Grand Slam final - as a matter of fact, he’s never even been past the third round until now.
Yet Federer defeated Soderling at the Madrid Masters, and the French Open finals odds in the sportsbook apparently reflect that. For all intents and purposes, the men’s French Open final was the semi final battle between Juan Martin Del Potro and Federer, and as long as the Swiss Mister is focused, he should finally get his first French Open crown.
Braden Bayley’s Pick: Federer and Safina.
For more analysis into French Open odds and general tennis betting, check out the BetOnline.com Betting Edge daily.
Braden Bayley could whip you on the court, and he could do it with his picks, too. He has no patience for other sports ? it’s tennis, tennis, tennis for the Englishman. So, for everything tennis handicapping, keep reading Braden’s BetOnline.com articles. Thoughts or questions? Email

French Open Maria Sharapova superstar tennis

2009-08-09T07:30:00.000-07:00

Tennis superstar Maria Sharapova is the perfect solution to the dilemma in the women’s game today. The tour has never stabilized since Justine Henin stepped down in May of 2008. Henin held the No. 1 ranking for a total of 117 weeks. She is a best rank .
With Henin's abrupt departure, Maria Sharapova assumed the No. 1 ranking only for three weeks prior to the 2008 French Open; then Ana Ivanovic held it for nine weeks after winning the French Open for the first time.

Sharapova with a shoulder dameged after the 2008 Wimbledon Championships. She returned full time to the tour just prior to the 2009 French Open where she did exceptionally well after being out for such an extended period.
During her absence Sharapova’s ranking dropped out of the top 100, falling as far as No. 126. Speculation began about her ability to return to action at all further, that at age 22 her career might be over. Certainly a shoulder injury would weaken her serve the essential piece of her game.

Sharapova, however, returned to singles play in May of 2009 at a clay court event the Warsaw Open—where she lasted all the way to the quarterfinals.

Following the French Open, Sharapova reached the semi-finals at the 2009 Aegon Classic in Birmingham—a grass court warm-up tournament in preparation for Wimbledon.

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Martin Kaymer got Scottish open title after French Open win

2009-07-20T02:26:00.000-07:00

MARTIN Kaymer made it a twice festivity at Loch Lomond on Sunday by taking the Scottish Open title after a sparkling weekend’s golf.

The German got the £500,000 prize with a score of 15 under par, having won the French Open only eight days ago.

He was the first player since Ian Woosnam in 1990 to win the two PGA tour events right away preceding to the Open Championship

Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin and Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez Castano joint second place, both two shots off the lead.

Englishman Lee Westwood was the highest British player, with a score of 10 under par, the same score managed by Ross Fisher.

Thousands of golf fans took benefit of the magnificent weather situation to enjoy an enjoyable tournament, televised live.

Foals - The French Open lyrics

2009-07-20T02:18:00.000-07:00

Un peu d'air sur la terre
D'air sur la
D'air sur la
D'air sur la terre

Un peu d'air sur la terre
D'air sur la
D'air sur la
D'air sur la terre

Un peu d'air sur la terre
D'air sur la
D'air sur la
D'air sur la terre

Un peu d'air sur la terre
D'air sur la
D'air sur la
D'air sur la terre

wasted games
all these wasted games
racquets gadgets
wasted games
all these wasted games
racquets

Un peu d'air sur la terre
D'air sur la
D'air sur la
D'air sur la terre

Un peu d'air sur la terre
D'air sur la
D'air sur la
D'air sur la terre

Un peu d'air sur la terre
D'air sur la
D'air sur la
D'air sur la terre

Un peu d'air sur la terre
D'air sur la
D'air sur la
D'air sur la terre

waste away
all these wasted games
racquets gadgets
wasted games
all these wasted games
racquets

wasted games
oh we waste away
racquets gadgets
wasted games
all these wasted games
racquets

RECENT MEN'S FRENCH OPEN CHAMPIONS

2009-07-20T01:53:00.000-07:00

YEAR/WINNER	FINALIST	SCORE
2008 Rafael Nadal	Roger Federer	61 63 60
2007 Rafael Nadal	Roger Federer	63 46 63 64
2006 Rafael Nadal	Roger Federer	16 61 64 76(4)
2005 Rafael Nadal	Mariano Puerta	67(6) 63 61 75
2004 Gaston Gaudio	Guillermo Coria	06 36 64 61 86
2003 Juan Carlos Ferrero	Martin Verkerk	61 63 62
2002 Albert Costa	Juan Carlos Ferrero	61 60 46 63
2001 Gustavo Kuerten	Alex Corretja	67 75 62 60
2000 Gustavo Kuerten	Magnus Norman	62 63 26 76
1999 Andre Agassi	Andrei Medvedev(u)	16 26 64 63 64
1998 Carlos Moya	Alex Corretja	63 75 63
1997 Gustavo Kuerten(u)	Sergi Bruguera	63 64 62
1996 Yevgeny Kafelnikov	Michael Stich	76 75 76
1995 Thomas Muster	Michael Chang	75 62 64
1994 Sergi Bruguera	Alberto Berasategui(u)	63 75 26 61
1993 Sergi Bruguera	Jim Courier	64 26 62 36 63
1992 Jim Courier	Petr Korda	75 62 61
1991 Jim Courier	Andre Agassi	36 64 26 61 64
1990 Andres Gomez	Andre Agassi	63 26 64 64
1989 Michael Chang	Stefan Edberg	61 36 46 64 62
1988 Mats Wilander	Henri Leconte	75 62 61
1987 Ivan Lendl	Mats Wilander	75 62 36 76
1986 Ivan Lendl	Mikael Pernfors(u)	63 62 64
1985 Mats Wilander	Ivan Lendl	36 64 62 62

French Open 2009

2009-07-20T01:20:00.000-07:00

The French Open is owed as the most demanding of all the grand slams and the 2009 French Open tennis tournament is sure to stick to the rigours and tough competitiveness so characteristic of the second of the annual tennis 'majors'.

organised by one of the most loving cities in the world, Paris, the 2009 French Open will run from May 24th to June 7th and this year's tournament is sure to unleash some of the most riveting grand slam tennis.

'King of Clay', Rafael Nadal, imprinted his name into French Open history after corresponding the record of the the famous Bjorn Borg and the 1920's heroine of the Open, Suzanne Lenglen, with four successive titles apiece. Justine Henin was not there to defend her title due to her instant departure from expert tennis in May 2008. Ana Ivanovic claimed the 2008 women's singles title for the first time, and the world will be watching to see if she can look after her title at Roland Garros in 2009.

In conclusion, the 2009 French Open tennis contest is sure to be one of the sports spectacles of the year, and moderator by present form, the championship could very well launch a couple of new winner onto the centre stage.

About French Open Tennis

2009-07-15T09:27:00.000-07:00

Location	Paris (XVIe) France
Venue	Stade Français (1891 - 1927) Stade Roland Garros (1928 - )
Surface	Grass (1891 - 1911, 1925 - 1927) Clay (1912 - 1924, 1928 - ) (Outdoors)
Men's draw	128S / 128Q / 64D (2009)
Women's draw	128S / 96Q / 64D (2009)
Prize money	€ 16,150,460 (2009)

French Open Ticket Agents

2009-07-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

There a lot of Ticket Agent in the market who sells French Open Tickets but not all of them are successful to provide tickets to their customer, Among them only few customer are successful to deliver safe, secure and 100% guaranteed French Open Tickets to their customer. The list of those Ticket Sellers are as follows:-

Ticket Master
Getmein
The Online Ticket Shop
Sold Out Event Ticket
The Online Ticket Exchange

French Open 2010 Dates Has been announced

2009-07-15T09:14:00.000-07:00

The next Roland-Garros tournament (also called French Open - Tennis) will take place from Sunday, 23 May to Sunday, 5 June 2009 in Roland Garros stadium, Paris, France. The reservation period has been started in September 2009.

Sunday23 May 10(11:00)
French Open Tickets French Open: 1st Round (Philippe Chatrier)

Monday24 May 10(11:00)
French Open Tickets French Open: 1st Round (Philippe Chatrier)

Tuesday25 May 10(11:00)
French Open Tickets French Open: 1st Round (Philippe Chatrier)

Wednesday26 May 10(11:00)
French Open Tickets French Open: 2nd Round (Philippe Chatrier)

Thursday27 May 10(11:00)
French Open Tickets French Open: 2nd Round (Philippe Chatrier)

Friday28 May 10(11:00)
French Open Tickets French Open: 3rd Round (Philippe Chatrier)

Saturday29 May 10(11:00)
French Open Tickets French Open: 3rd Round (Philippe Chatrier)

Sunday30 May 10(11:00)
French Open Tickets French Open: 4th Round (Philippe Chatrier)

Monday31 May 10(11:00)
French Open Tickets French Open: 4th Round (Philippe Chatrier)

Tuesday1 Jun 10(14:00)
French Open Tickets French Open: 4th Round (Philippe Chatrier)

Wednesday2 Jun 10(14:00)
French Open Tickets French Open: 4th Round (Philippe Chatrier)

Thursday3 Jun 10(14:00)
French Open Tickets French Open: Women's Semi Finals (Philippe Chatrier)

Friday4 Jun 10(14:00)
French Open Tickets French Open: Men's Semi Finals (Philippe Chatrier)

Saturday5 Jun 10(14:00)
French Open Tickets French Open: Women's Final (Philippe Chatrier)

Saturday5 Jun 10(14:00)
French Open Tickets French Open: Men's Final (Philippe Chatrier)
Roland Garros stadium Paris, France

All French Open Tickets are available on The Online Ticket Shop.

French Open 2009 Champions

2009-07-15T09:13:00.000-07:00

Roger Federer is the defending Gentleman's champion, after beating Robin Söderling in the 2009 finals

Svetlana Kuznetsova is the defending Ladies' champion, after beating Dinara Safina, in the 2009 finals

French Open Women Double Winners

2009-07-15T09:01:00.000-07:00

Year
Year	Women
1968	Françoise Durr /Ann Haydon Jones
1969	Françoise Durr /Ann Haydon Jones
1970	Gail Sherriff /Françoise Durr
1971	Gail Sherriff /Françoise Durr
1972	Billie Jean King /Betty Stöve
1973	Margaret Court /Virginia Wade
1974	Chris Evert /Olga Morozova
1975	Chris Evert /Martina Navrátilová
1976	Fiorella Bonicelli /Gail Sherriff
1977	Regina Maršíková /Pam Teeguarden
1978	Mima Jaušovec /Virginia Ruzici
1979	Betty Stöve /Wendy Turnbull
1980	Kathy Jordan /Anne Smith
1981	Rosalyn Fairbank /Tanya Harford
1982	Martina Navrátilová /Anne Smith
1983	Rosalyn Fairbank /Candy Reynolds
1984	Martina Navrátilová /Pam Shriver
1985	Martina Navrátilová /Pam Shriver
1986	Martina Navrátilová /Andrea Temesvári
1987	Martina Navrátilová /Pam Shriver
1988	Martina Navrátilová /Pam Shriver
1989	Larisa Savchenko Neiland /Natalia Zvereva
1990	Jana Novotná /Helena Suková
1991	Gigi Fernández /Jana Novotná
1992	Gigi Fernández / Natasha Zvereva
1993
1994
1995
1996	Lindsay Davenport /Mary Joe Fernandez
1997	Gigi Fernández /Nastasha Zvereva
1998	Martina Hingis /Jana Novotná
1999	Serena Williams /Venus Williams
2000	Martina Hingis /Mary Pierce
2001	Virginia Ruano Pascual /Paola Suárez
2002	Virginia Ruano Pascual /Paola Suárez
2003	Kim Clijsters /Ai Sugiyama
2004	Virginia Ruano Pascual /Paola Suárez
2005	Virginia Ruano Pascual /Paola Suárez
2006	Lisa Raymond /Samantha Stosur
2007	Alicia Molik /Mara Santangelo
2008	Anabel Medina Garrigues /Virginia Ruano Pascual
2009	Anabel Medina Garrigues /Virginia Ruano Pascual

French Open Men Double Winners

2009-07-15T08:44:00.000-07:00

Year
Year	Men
1968	Ken Rosewall /Fred Stolle
1969	John Newcombe /Tony Roche
1970	Ilie Năstase /Ion Ţiriac
1971	Arthur Ashe /Marty Riessen
1972	Bob Hewitt /Frew McMillan
1973	John Newcombe /Tom Okker
1974	Dick Crealy /Onny Parun
1975	Brian Gottfried /Raúl Ramírez
1976	Fred McNair /Sherwood Stewart
1977	Brian Gottfried /Raúl Ramírez
1978	Gene Mayer /Hank Pfister
1979	Gene Mayer /Sandy Mayer
1980	Victor Amaya /Hank Pfister
1981	Heinz Günthardt /Balázs Taróczy
1982	Sherwood Stewart /Ferdi Taygan
1983	Anders Järryd /Hans Simonsson
1984	Henri Leconte /Yannick Noah
1985	Mark Edmondson /Kim Warwick
1986	John Fitzgerald /Tomáš Šmíd
1987	Anders Järryd /Robert Seguso
1988	Andrés Gómez /Emilio Sánchez
1989	Jim Grabb /Patrick McEnroe
1990	Sergio Casal /Emilio Sánchez
1991	John Fitzgerald /Anders Järryd
1992	Jakob Hlasek /Marc Rosset
1993	Luke Jensen /Murphy Jensen
1994	Byron Black /Jonathan Stark
1995	Jacco Eltingh /Paul Haarhuis
1996	Yevgeny Kafelnikov /Daniel Vacek
1997	Yevgeny Kafelnikov /Daniel Vacek
1998	Jacco Eltingh /Paul Haarhuis
1999	Mahesh Bhupathi /Leander Paes
2000	Todd Woodbridge /Mark Woodforde
2001	Mahesh Bhupathi /Leander Paes
2002	Paul Haarhuis /Yevgeny Kafelnikov
2003	ob Bryan /Mike Bryan
2004	Xavier Malisse /Olivier Rochus
2005	Jonas Björkman /Max Mirnyi
2006	Jonas Björkman /Max Mirnyi
2007	Mark Knowles /Daniel Nestor
2008	Pablo Cuevas /Luis Horna
2009	Lukas Dlouhy /Leander Paes

British Open Winners Singles Summary

2009-07-15T08:43:00.001-07:00

Year	Singles
Year	Men	Women
1968	Ken Rosewall	Nancy Richey
1969	Rod Laver	Margaret Court
1970	Jan Kodeš	Margaret Court
1971	Jan Kodeš	Evonne Goolagong Cawley
1972	Andrés Gimeno	Billie Jean King
1973	Ilie Năstase	Margaret Court
1974	Björn Borg	Chris Evert
1975	Björn Borg	Chris Evert
1976	Adriano Panatta	Sue Barker
1977	Guillermo Vilas	Mima Jaušovec
1978	Björn Borg	Virginia Ruzici
1979		Chris Evert
1980		Chris Evert
1981		Hana Mandlíková
1982	Mats Wilander	Martina Navrátilová
1983	Yannick Noah	Chris Evert
1984	Ivan Lendl	Martina Navrátilová
1985	Mats Wilander	Chris Evert
1986	Ivan Lendl	Chris Evert
1987	Ivan Lendl	Steffi Graf
1988	Mats Wilander	Steffi Graf
1989	Michael Chang	Arantxa Sanchez Vicario
1990	Andrés Gómez	Monica Seleš
1991	Jim Courier
1992	Jim Courier
1993	Sergi Bruguera	Steffi Graf
1994	Sergi Bruguera	Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
1995	Thomas Muster	Steffi Graf
1996	Yevgeny Kafelnikov	Steffi Graf
1997	Gustavo Kuerten	Iva Majoli
1998	Carlos Moyá	Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
1999	Andre Agassi	Steffi Graf
2000	Gustavo Kuerten	Mary Pierce
2001	Gustavo Kuerten	Jennifer Capriati
2002	Albert Costa	Serena Williams
2003	Juan Carlos Ferrero	Justine Henin
2004	Gastón Gaudio	Anastasia Myskina
2005	Rafael Nadal	Justine Henin
2006
2007
2008		Ana Ivanović
2009	Roger Federer	Svetlana Kuznetsova

French Open 2009 Money Prize

2009-07-15T08:08:00.000-07:00

In 2009, the prize money awarded in the men's and women's singles tournaments was equal and distributed as follows:

Winner €1 060 000
Finalist €530 000
Semi-finalist €265 000
Quarter-finalist €132 500
Fourth round €68 400
Third round €40 600
Second round €24 500
First round €15 000

Kuznetsova got French Open title by defeating Safina

2009-07-15T07:50:00.000-07:00

Svetlana Kuznetsova in trouble Dinara Safina’s dreams of confining a first grand slam title on Saturday, beating the world number one 6-4, 6-2 to win the 2009 French Open.

Safina began the match powerfully, betrayal Kuznetsova’s serve in the first set. The two players deal service breaks for the rest of the set, with Kuznetsova rising triumphant from the exchange.

The seventh seed dominated the second set totally, as an more and more upset Safina effort to make her attendance felt in the rallies. Safina ended the match meekly, allowing Kuznetosca to sow up a routine win.

The victory gave Kuznetsova with her second grand slam title five years after she won the US Open as a 19 year old. Safina, in the meantime, had to deal with the dissatisfaction of a second successive loss in the final of the French Open.

"It was so many years since I won a Grand Slam and I thought it would never happen again," Kuznetsova said after the match. "Today when I was coming onto the court I knew everything was going to be fine. It was the same as before when I won the US Open."

Federer has fulfilled his dream to win French Open

2009-07-15T07:41:00.000-07:00

Roger Federer pleased with his dream of attaining a career grand slam on Sunday, beating Robin Soderling in straight sets in the 2009 French Open final.

The 6-1, 7-6, 6-4 conquest also saw Federer draw level with Pete Sampras' record of 14 grand slam titles. Many will rate Federer’s success as the more remarkable, given that Sampras never handled to win the French Open during his career.

The match saw a strong-minded Federer control Soderling from start to finish, putting in a performance significant of his complete defeat of Andy Murray in the final of the 2008 US Open. Federer moved Soderling around the court at will, and used the drop shot to overwhelming effect.

"It was probably my greatest ever victory, I was under big pressure. But I did it and it's phenomenal," Federer said to the crowd before claiming the French Open trophy. "I think that now and until the end of my career, I can really play with my mind at peace and no longer hear that I've never won Roland Garros."

With Rafael Nadal’s contribution in the Wimbledon Open Championships in uncertainty Roger Federer will have an outstanding chance to set the record for most grand slam conquests in London next month

French Open History

2009-07-10T09:35:00.000-07:00

The French Open Tennis 2009 competition is one of the four global Tennis ‘ Grand Slams’ the others being Wimbledon, The US Open and the Australian Open. The French Open however is the only one played on clay courts. It generally happen from 24th May until 7th June.
The French Open history had its start in 1891 and was known as the Championatde France International de Tennis it was for men only. The womens event began 6 years later in 1897. At that time all tennis was played on grass, but the French introduced a new surface of clay, the tournament is still played on clay today and it has become the biggest clay court tournament in the world.
After France won the Davis Cup on American soil in 1927, they decided to protect the success, but wanted to have a quality French Tennis Championship venue to host the contest plus other global matches and competition, The French Government assisted and donated three hectares of land in Paris to build a venue, but they insisted that it be named after heroic World War 1 fighter pilot, Roland Gaross.
Once the stadium was finished it work the International flavour continued and the tournament began to attract players from far and wide. Some clay court specialists and others clay court learners.
In 1968 the French Tennis Championship became the first of the four Grand Slams to go ‘open’, thus allowing both amateurs and professionals to compete, these days however, with the huge growth in popularity nearly all players are now professional. Like other Grand Slams it only invites the top players in the world and the world rankings to compete. The last 20 final results can be seen in the French Open Tennis Roll of Honour.

Introduction To French Open

2009-07-10T09:26:00.000-07:00

The French Open is a main tennis tournament that happens generally within two weeks between late May and early June in Paris, France, at the Stade Roland Garros. It is the second of the Grand Slam championships on the yearly tennis calendar and the premier clay court tennis contest in the world. Roland Garros is the only Grand Slam still held on clay and ends the spring clay court season.

It is one of the most important events in tennis, and it has the widest universal broadcasting and viewers of all usual events in this game. Because of the slow playing surface and the five-set men's singles matches without a tiebreak in the final set, the event is extensively measured to be the most bodily demanding tennis contest in the world.

The singles champions for 2009 are the Swiss Male Roger Federer and the Russian Female Svetlana Kuznetsova.