Organizers have announced that the second retractable roof at Roland Garros will be inaugurated on the opening day of the French Open next month. The project, planned with the Paris Olympics in mind, will see a ceremony for the roof over the 10,000-seat Suzanne Lenglen court on May 26, coinciding with the start of the main draws.
The new roof will provide more flexibility in scheduling matches and ensure play for 25,000 fans on the grounds and TV viewers worldwide. The main 15,000-seat Philippe Chatrier court has already had a retractable roof since 2020, and the addition of the roof over Suzanne Lenglen court is seen as a significant enhancement for the tournament.
The roof can be closed in around 15 minutes, allowing for uninterrupted play even in case of rain during the qualifying rounds. This feature will be crucial in maintaining the schedule of the Paris Olympics tennis tournament, which is set to take place from July 27 to Aug. 4.
In addition to the new roof, organizers have also announced the renovation of the players' restaurant and changing rooms, providing more space and improved facilities for the participants.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about the participation of Rafael Nadal, the 14-time French Open men's singles champion, who has expressed doubts about his readiness for Roland Garros due to injuries. Nadal, who has played only five matches this year, is unlikely to be seeded in the French Open draw and has seen a significant drop in his rankings.
Despite Nadal's uncertainties, the tournament is gearing up for a successful event, with additional attractions such as boxing finals in the second week of the Olympics. The French Open has already sold out for the first week, with daily crowds of 75,000 expected and a total of about 650,000 attendees across the three weeks, including qualifying rounds.
