A tour around the Roland Garros Tennis Hall
The Roland Gros Tennis Stadium, located in the heart of Paris, is a household name in the world of tennis.
This is a huge stadium complex, which includes about 20 clay courts, the stadium was built as early as 1928 in order to host the finals of the international tennis competition, also known as the "Davis Cup".
The museum was founded and named after a French fighter pilot from the First World War, Roland Gros.
Today, the stadium is famous for the Grand Slam tournament that takes place there every year.
The Grand Slam tournament is the most prestigious tennis competition in the world today and it takes place in the month of May every year, it lasts about two weeks and every year about 128 of the best tennis players of that year from around the world compete in it.
At first the tournament was held at the Stade de France stadium - the soccer temple of Paris Saint-Germain, but over the years, as the popularity of the tennis branch grew and grew, as did the demand for tickets to the tournament, in France they realized that "the white sport" is very popular in the country and in the world and there is no other solution than to develop the the area and build a huge complex full of courts, the same complex is called the Roland-Gross Stadium.
The tennis industry and its history
Roland Garros is one of the 4 Grand Slam tennis tournaments held each year (besides France, they are held in Australia, USA and England), and is the second chronologically each year, after the Australian Open. This is the only Grand Slam played on clay courts. In fact, until 1975, Roland Garros was the only Grand Slam not played on grass.
The first French tennis championship was held in 1891, but then it was open only to the French. The first women's singles match was played in 1897 - only 4 women participated in this tournament.
In 1925, the tournament was opened to all amateur tennis players in the world, and the competition was defined as a significant championship.
In 1968, the French Championships became officially open, for both amateur and professional tennis players.
Over the years, there have been many complaints that matches at Roland Garros are taking excessively long, in part because of rain breaks. After many years of discussions, plans and cancellations, the stadium was renovated, a new field with 5,000 seats was opened and a convertible roof was added to the spectacular field.
The holder of the winning record for 2023 is the famous Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal, who has 14 wins in the tournament.
In the women's competition, the record winner is the famous Chris Evert, an American tennis player who has 7 wins in the tournament, in second place after her is the German Shetfi Graf with 6 wins in the prestigious tournament.
In addition to the single competitions for men and women, various competitions are held such as:
Couples competition, children's competitions and wheelchair tennis competitions.
What awaits you on the tour?
During the tour we will see the three main fields of the stadium,
Susan Langlen lot - A court with about 10,000 seats, named after a French tennis player who won many awards and titles and is even considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
Philip Shtrieh lot - The main field in the stadium, with close to 15,000 seats. Named after the president of the French Tennis Federation in 2001. The four stands in the stadium are called "The Four Musketeers" - after four French tennis players in the past.
Simon Matthew pitch - The new field in the stadium, contains about 5,000 seats, it is also named after a famous French tennis player.
The Roland Gross Stadium tour will take you behind the scenes of the famous hall,
The tour will be accompanied by a professional guide who will take you on a journey following the greatest champions in white sports who made history in the prestigious stadium.
During the tour you will visit the dressing rooms, the press complexes, the presidential tribune and the corridor leading the players to the field.
Also, during the visit you will of course have the chance to enter the courts and even feel for yourself the ground on which the world tennis champions step every year.
important information before arriving
The duration of the tour is an hour and a half, accompanied by a close guide.
The languages of the tour are English, French or Spanish - your choice when ordering the tickets. Also, the tour hours vary from date to date, and you can check the tour hours on the website.
Ticket - The ticket includes entry to the stadium complex and a guided tour, and the price is 16 euros per participant.
Tickets must be ordered in advance on the website.
The stadium is located in the prestigious Boulogne neighborhood, at the edge of the Boulogne forests, about 25 minutes away from the city center by public transportation.
Arriving by public transport from the city center is very convenient.
The most convenient way to get there is by metro line - to Michel-Ange Auteuil or Porte d'Auteuil stations.
In addition, there are many bus lines that arrive near the stadium, including: 22, 32, 52, 62, 123, 241 and 260.
For those arriving by car - parking in one of the parking lots in the area (for a fee). Recommended parking lots in the area: Porte d'Auteuil car park or Point-du-Jour car park.
Stadium address: 2 avenue Gordon Bennett, PARIS
In the stadium there are cafes, food stalls and restaurants that you can enjoy before/after the tour.
If you are lucky and you come to Paris at the end of May - beginning of June, you can purchase tickets to watch the prestigious Grand Slam tournament, the experience is unforgettable but the ticket costs are accordingly.
The ticket price varies and tickets must be ordered long, long in advance.
Who is the tour suitable for?
The tour of the stadium is fascinating, special, and gives you a special look behind the scenes of the world famous tennis tournament. Even those who are not interested or knowledgeable in the tennis industry will find interest in the impressive stadium, and in the tour that is delivered in an experiential, special and unforgettable way.
The tour is suitable for individuals, couples, friends or families with children of all ages.
In conclusion,
A visit to Roland Garros, home of the prestigious French Open, offers tennis enthusiasts and casual travelers alike an experience like no other.
Located in Paris, this historic venue has witnessed countless epic battles on its iconic red clay courts, contributing rich chapters to the history of tennis.
Visitors to the complex have the unique opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the tennis legends, feel the distinctive slow play of clay under their feet, and immerse themselves in an atmosphere steeped in tradition and passion.
Beyond the sport itself, the combination of French culture, gastronomy and the vibrant atmosphere of Paris adds a charm that makes Roland Garros a must-see for anyone who aspires to capture the true essence of tennis.
