Roland Garros: Amélie Mauresmo announces big Paris nights
The night sessions at the French Open 2022 should set completely new standards. This was announced by tournament director Amélie Mauresmo on Wednesday at a press conference.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Mar 17, 2022, 08:02 am
The residents of the Stade Roland Garros in the 16th arrondissement of Paris are not considered to be particularly sociable, especially when it comes to their evening rest. From this year, however, it could get a little louder in ten nights - when the night sessions at the French Open 2022 in front of a sold-out house create a great atmosphere. In any case, the tendency seems to point to full grandstands: More than two months before the start of the tournament, two thirds of the 150,000 evening tickets have already been sold.
Which was just one of the details revealed on Wednesday by Amélie Mauresmo and Gilles Moretton, the president of the French Tennis Federation. The 2006 Wimbledon champion almost regretted that the days at the end of May were getting longer again. Because when the protagonists march in, the new LED system should make the Court Philippe-Chatrier shine. A little more natural darkness wouldn't hurt.
Tiebreak in the deciding sets now also in Roland Garros
You always have to compete with the other three Grand Slam tournaments in Melbourne, London and New York City, says Mauresmo. But Roland Garros doesn't just want to catch up - no, an overtaking maneuver is planned in terms of entertainment. Because every evening music lovers should also get their money's worth. The session starts at exactly 8:45 p.m. with a mini-concert, the first serve in the matches is planned for 9 p.m. sharp.
It could all take a little longer, but not quite as long as it potentially did last year. Because now in Roland Garros the deciding set will be decided at 6: 6 in a (match) tiebreak (up to ten points). So far, the third round for women and the fifth for men have always been played to a two-game lead. The new regulation would benefit players and fans alike, Mauresmo said. The athletes can at least save a few forces. The spectators would get an additional element of tension.