Roland-Garros Stadium

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Roland-Garros stadium, in the southwestern corner of Paris just south of the Bois de Boulogne, is named after the French aviator Roland Garros /ʁolɑ̃ gaʁo/. However, its major claim to fame today is that it is the site of the French International Tennis Open, one of the world’s most prestigious professional tennis tournaments. The French Open, sponsored by the Fédération Française de Tennis (FFT), is one of the “Grand Slam” events in professional tennis.

This is a picture of the center court just after a match. This stadium (the largest of several in the complex) holds about 15,000 people and hosts the finals of the French Open.

The FFT derives the lion’s share of its income from the proceeds of this open (mostly advertising and television rights). This one tournament allows it to fund its professional tennis activities (training, licensing, tournaments) throughout France. Although few French players ever win the French Open (there’s a lot of competition!), thousands of them benefit from the money earned by hosting it.

The tiny figure you see down on the court holding a large silver cup in this very wide-angle shot taken from nearly the highest corner of the stadium is Mary Pierce, who had won the Ladies Singles competition in the French Open for 2000 just minutes before. Ms. Pierce, who is of French nationality, was receiving a standing ovation, and she got all misty.

Photographed on June 10, 2000.