When the 2018 French Open was over, the entire stadium was demolished and rebuilt within a year before the 2019 edition. The trophy awarded each year to the French Open women's singles champion is named La Coupe Suzanne Lenglen in her honor. If Madison Bumgarner Is Done, Is He A Hall Of Fame Pitcher? The rebuild of the seating bowl allowed for a new space for players beneath the stadium, including more space for changing rooms, a warm-up room, player restaurant with its own delicatessen and a tunnel that leads directly to Suzanne-Lenglen court. [22] An unusual design feature was its press seating in the first row at court level behind the south baseline. The structure covers Roland Garros' main stage, the Philippe-Chatrier court, in a bid to rid the biggest matches of those pesky rain delays. All clay courts are different, Venus Williams has said. Roland-Garros' majestic centre court has a brand new state-of-the-art roof, Standout milestones that can be reached and records that could be broken this fortnight in Paris. Heres everything you need to know. Christophe Guibbaud/FFT How long did the work take? [6] As a further tribute, the trophy awarded each year to the French Open men's singles champion is known as La Coupe des Mousquetaires. The roof, which will take approximately 15 minutes to close, is made up of 11 individual trusses -- each weighing 330 metric tons -- and took eight months to assemble, according to organizers. [42], In December 2015, the Paris Administrative Court ordered suspension of reclamation work involving the Auteuil botanical garden greenhouses. Both Australian Open finalists Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem are in dangerous form and could pose the most serious threat to Nadals superiority. Tennis grand slam circuit switches its focus to Paris following the Australian Open, but Roland Garros will have a different look for this year. [47] This included the inauguration of statues to Rafael Nadal (who has won the French Open singles title a record 14 times), Roland Garros, and the "Four Musketeers" (Borotra, Brugnon, Cochet, and Lacoste). This year's tournament will begin on 24 May 2020 and go on until 7 June 2020. As of 2020, Court Philippe-Chatrier has also been equipped with a retractable roof and extensive court lighting, ensuring the action continues day and night, come rain or shine. The new roof will undergo multiple tests ahead of the start of this years tournament which is due to begin on May 24. It may create heavier conditions inside, the type players experienced on clay in Rome last week. The spectacular transformation of Philippe-Chatrier court is well underway. From Montmartre to Les Invalides, the dinner offered a gastronomic exploration of the best Paris had to offer, led bythe man who was always searching for the new and the different. So he went to his friend Marcel Bernard, who had won the first post-war Roland Garros title, and asked him to get himself elected President and hold the seat warm for three years. A man who changed the face of French tennis and, as president of the International Tennis Federation between 1977 and 1991, influenced much of the tennis world. Click here for more information. In a statement, the FFT responded that the greenhouses would not be destroyed, and would, in fact, be embellished. [26], Demolition of Court 1 began shortly after conclusion of the 2019 tournament and inauguration of the new tertiary venue, Court Simonne Mathieu. [32][45][46], In 2021, the redevelopment of courts 2 and 3 and the renovation work at the Place des Mousquetaires were finished. Assisted by David Gray, the Guardian writer who had become his deputy as Secretary General of the ITF, Chatrier canvassed for its return, eventually persuading Dr Juan Samaranch, the Olympic supremo of the time, to award tennis full Olympic status as a medal sport at Seoul in 1988. The roof, which will take approximately 15. The eight-month process to assemble the trusses, acoustic panels and canvas completed in 2020. [20][27], Known officially as the Museum of the French Federation of Tennis, the Tenniseum was designed by the French architect Bruno Moinard and opened in May 2003. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images), (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images), Ten Teams That Should Consider Signing Former World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner, With Induction Weekend Coming, Baseball Hall Of Fames Official Tour Operator Opens Doors For Travelers, The Sixers Options At Center Against The Celtics Until Joel Embiid Returns, Jorge Mendes Reportedly Guarantees $77 Million Offer For FC Barcelona Star Ansu Fati, Lionel Messi Return Off As FC Barcelona Fail To Convince La Liga With Viability Plan: Reports, Finding An NBA Home For Trayce Jackson-Davis. [7], After the completion of the 2018 tournament, the stadium was demolished down to its foundations and rebuilt with steeper grandstands in time for the 2019 tournament. The French Open is one of the most historic competitions in the world, but the clay court venue has been brought bang up to date with the addition of a retractable roof. See you on Sunday for the first round of #RolandGarros 2020! Nadal eyes record The new roof will undergo multiple tests ahead of the start of this year's tournament which is due to begin on May 24.The king of clay Rafael Nadal will be bidding to extend his record to 13 French Open titles but will face stiff competition.Both Australian Open finalists -- Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem -- are in dangerous form and could pose the most serious threat to Nadal's superiority. More and more applications and operating systems offer this solution to save energy and improve energy efficiency. [49] Court Suzanne Lenglen will have a retractable roof completed on time for the 2024 Summer Olympics.[50]. #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/Mgybr7s1yw. Information have been collected by our partner Wonderpush, and used by CCM Benchmark Group, to ensure the push notification sending about what you subscribed for. This will also be the first year Roland-Garros has the option of turning the lights on. The entire seating capacity of the Philippe-Chatrier Court has become 14,840. Alcohol Liaison (Health Care Agency) But the new roof atop Philippe-Chatrier, completed in time for the original French Open dates, could prove important to keep at least one match flowing no matter the weather when the tournaments main draw beginning Sept. 27. 1 Susan Partridge, Kramer and Donald Dell. Permanent exhibits include a display of the French Open perpetual trophies, including La Coupe des Mousquetaires and La Coupe Suzanne Lenglen; a narrative and photographic history of Stade Roland Garros; displays documenting the evolution of tennis attire through the years; a comprehensive collection of tennis racquets dating back to the mid-19th century; and a large exhibition of tennis-related photographs and paintings. The structure, which weighs 3,500 tons and covers 10,000sqm, can be closed in about 15 minutes. The complex is named after Roland Garros (18881918), a pioneering French aviator, and was constructed in 1928 to host France's first defence of the Davis Cup.The 13.5-hectare (34-acre) complex contains twenty courts,[1] including three large-capacity stadiums; Les Jardins de Roland Garros, a large restaurant and bar complex;[2] Le Village, the press and VIP area; France's National Training Centre (CNE); and the Tenniseum, a bilingual, multimedia museum of the history of tennis. But the project's outstanding feature by far, is to rebuild and fit with a retractable roof the Philippe Chatrier court - currently the only uncovered centre court in the grand slam series. Centre Court/Court Philippe-Chatrier: 14,900 -> 15,300 seats (refurbishment & extension + retractable roof) Court Suzanne-Lenglen: 10,000 seats. The diversity in composition of various "clay" surfaces around the world explains the extraordinary variability in their playing characteristics. Who was Philippe Chatrier, namesake of Roland Garros' roofed court? A monument to France's six Cup championships stands at the center of Place des Mousquetaires, a circular courtyard near the venue's entrance. Philippe-Chatrier courts retractable roof is made up of 11 trusses, each weighing 330 metric tons. 11:56 AM EST, Wed February 5, 2020. In line with the recent work done with the retractable roofing of the Philippe Chatrier court and the construction of the new Simone Mathieu court, on the Roland Garros tournament site, the new . On the current property, the proposal called for the addition of lights and a retractable roof over Court Philippe Chatrier. A key aim is to provide a smooth and enjoyable experience to the 45,000 spectators who visit the tournament daily, offering them services of higher quality. Twelve courts have been fitted with floodlights. The construction work of the newly built roof of the Philippe Chatrier central tennis court. This roof gives the tournament a whole new dimension, says Bernard Giudicelli, French Tennis Federation president, by ensuring that play can continue while providing consistent playing conditions, particularly from the quarterfinals onward., The outside of the Philippe Chatrier central tennis court at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris. A man of passion and complexity, I called him in a Guardian obituary in June 2000, when Chatrier died from Alzheimers disease. Built in 1980, the Bullring was a favorite among serious tennis fans because of its relatively small size and feeling of close proximity to the action. I remember a dinner I attended in Paris around that time with Chatrier and his first wife, the British No. See the coming transformation of Philippe-Chatrier court and its retractable roof. In 2001, the center court was renamed the Philippe Chatrier Court in honor of the truly amazing activities manager, Philippe Chatrier, who ran the French Tennis Federation between 1973 and 1993. PARIS (AP) With the new $55 million (50 million euros) retractable roof shut atop a barren Court Philippe Chatrier where the red clay has dimmed to an orange-brown, the court's white lines have all but faded and there's no net the French Open's main stadium was transformed into a far more imposing and modern-looking facility. The referee decides if and when the lights should be used. This is a BETA experience. [6] France retained the Cup until 1933, again largely because of the Musketeers. Information have been collected by our partner Wonderpush, and used by CCM Benchmark Group, to ensure the push notification sending about what you subscribed for. Don't miss any news by activating notifications! All three of these courts have a retractable roof, which allows for play to continue even if the weather is not ideal. In 2008, the Philippe-Chatrier Court was renamed the Brugnon, Borotra, Lacoste and Cochet endure after the celebrated Musketeers. The decision to use these lights is made by the tournament referee, except when play proceeds with the roof closed, which requires artificial lighting. https://www.engie.com/en?utm_source=roland-garros&utm_medium=partnership&utm_campaign=dark-mode, to assemble the 11 trusses, install the acoustic panels, lift the trusses into place and fit. The Court des Serres, renamed Court Simonne Mathieu, was opened in March 2019, ready for the 2019 tournament, as was the rebuilt Court Chatrier, with the retractable roof completed in time for the 2020 tournament. In order to play you must be a registered user. Note: The Harbor Justice Center-Laguna Hills Facility will no longer file and hear civil and small claims matters effective July 1, 2013. Replacing the Court 1 bullring, the Simonne-Mathieu court follows Philippe-Chatrier and Suzanne-Lenglen courts as the largest on site. Then, after I have the chance to talk to all the League Presidents and explain my plans, Chatrier said, I will have enough votes to take over from you.. Then, in 2021, new courts 6 and 8, the development of new green areas and the Place des Mousquetaires round out the renovations in Paris, a site with a history that dates back over 90 years and a future now made modern by upgrades. In total, the roof covers a surface area of 1 hectare (10,000m2). [32][33], In February 2011, the FFT voted to keep the tournament at Stade Roland Garros, citing the prohibitive expense ($630 million to $1 billion) of building a new venue from scratch versus a projected $370 million to carry out the proposed expansion. Tours are conducted daily. General Information. Spain's Rafael Nadal will be aiming to win the title for a record extending 13th time in June. By using the dark mode function, you contribute to directly reduce your environmental impact. Now it is time to put the roof into service and carry out various tests, which will run until the end of April. You will need to do it in your browser settings. Christophe Guibbaud/FFT. The entire seating capacity of the Philippe-Chatrier Court has become 14,840. [30], In 2010, faced with opposition to the proposed expansion from factions within the Paris City Council, the FFT announced that it was considering an alternate plan to move the French Open to a new, 55-court venue outside of Paris city limits. A Warner Bros. Category 2 seats on Court Philippe-Chatrier are located in the lower rows of the upper tier, along both sidelines and behind one baseline. Newport Beach, CA 92660-2595. Find out what Monfils, Azarenka, Nadal, Halep and others had to say on the eve of their campaigns. Roland-Garros 18K views 3 years ago Novak Djokovic vs Stefanos Tsitsipas - Semi-final Highlights |. The huge project to transform the legendary court was thus completed on 5th February 2020, a month ahead of schedule. Nadal eyes record The king of clay Rafael Nadal will be bidding to extend his record to 13 French Open titles but will face stiff competition. Susan invited us up to Chatriers apartment on the Avenue des Ternes for a nightcap, but Philippe stayed brooding in his car and did not come up to join us for almost an hour. His match record at the four majors combined is 278-39. The three sites under consideration were Marne-la-Valle, the northern Paris suburb of Gonesse, and a vacant army base near Versailles. READ: Margaret Court criticizes John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova over protestREAD: Djokovic says tough upbringing in Serbia made him 'hungrier for success' The roof, which will take approximately 15 minutes to close, is made up of 11 individual trusses -- each weighing 330 metric tons -- and took eight months to assemble, according to organizers. Did you know, a dark pixel consumes less energy to illuminate your screen. ", "Au revoir, Court 1: memorializing Roland Garros' exhilarating bullring", "French Officials Consider Relocation Options for the Open", Expansion of Roland Garros Aims to Preserve Parisian Style, "The Misunderstanding of the French Tennis Federation", "French Federation to Appeal against Roland Garros Modernization suspension! Court Philippe Chatrier, with a roof, in 2020. However, another grand slam victory for Nadal would also put the Spaniard level with Roger Federer on 20 career major titles. The roof is ready! Fdration Franaise de Tennis. "In May 2017, we took up the challenge of rebuilding Philippe-Chatrier Court over three years by fitting it with a retractable roof," explained Bernard Giudicelli, President of the French Tennis Federation.The achievement of this technical and architectural feat is a source of great pride for our nation. Ninety years after it was built, the French Open's showpiece Court Philippe Chatrier was demolished soon after the 2018 event finished. Its architect, Jean Lovera, a former French junior champion, designed the 3,800-seat structure as a deliberate contrast to the adjacent, angular Court Philippe Chatrier. Originally planned for the four largest courts even before the pandemic hit, organizers have. The French stop of the tennis tour is the last major to fit a retractable roof to join Wimbledon, the Australian Open and the US Open. Court Philippe Chatrier prior to 2019 refurbishment Court Philippe Chatrier was built in 1928 as Stade Roland Garros's centerpiece and remains its principal venue. Each truss is split into 7 sections measuring 15m long and 3m high. The ground named after Roland Garros, an earlier French aviator and a fighter airplane pilot during World War I, who, on September 23, 1913, had get to be the first person to fly an airplane within the Mediterranean Sea. The new roof will undergo multiple tests ahead of the start of this year's tournament which is due to begin on May 24. [12] The stadium was known simply as "Court Central" until 2001, when it was renamed for the long-time president of the Fdration Franaise de Tennis (FFT) who helped restore tennis as a Summer Olympics sport in 1988. These wheels pull the trusses along two cogged rails fixed to the top of the stands. [11] Since then a multitude of other "fast-dry" and synthetic clay surfaces have been developed. Roland-Garros and Grand Slams support Australia, Philippe Chatrier court's retractable roof: 8 sections are already in place. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images). Roland-Garros top seed Novak Djokovic explained how clay-court tennis at this time of year would impact players. Its 11-pane retractable roof is currently being fitted: 8 sections are already in. Did you know that? FFT also noted that opponents of the eastward expansion "[did] not have good alternatives from the operational, legal and environmental point of view", and added that expansion into the Bois de Boulogne was impossible. Last year also welcomed the opening of the Fonds des Princes at the far west of the site with courts 10, 11, 12, 13, 15 and 16. [5] Garros was killed in aerial combat in October 1918. In 1927, France defeated the United States to win the Davis Cup, due largely to the Musketeers' efforts. The roof, which will take approximately 15 minutes to close, is made up of 11 individual trusses -- each weighing 330 metric tons -- and took eight months to assemble, according to organizers. Chatriers road was a little more complicated. [13], The four main spectator grandstands are named for les Quatre MousquetairesBrugnon, Borotra, Cochet, and Lacostein honor of their Davis Cup success, which prompted construction of the facility, and the stadium. The structure covers Roland Garros' main stage, the Philippe-Chatrier court, in a bid to rid the biggest matches of those pesky rain delays. Be careful, if you block web notifications in your browser, you will not be able to activate them here anymore. The lighting system installed on Court Philippe-Chatrier works independently of the roof structure. I thought I could it in 1946 but darn it, Drob (Jaroslav Drobny) beat me so I had to go back and win it the next year!. This facility handles traffic, minor offenses, criminal, civil, and small claims matters. That leadership led Chatrier to the chairmanship of the Mens International Tennis Council when it was formed after the Wimbledon boycott of 1973. The French Open is one of the most historic competitions in the world, but the clay court venue has been brought bang up to date with the addition of a retractable roof. The roof, which will take approximately 15 minutes to close, is made up of 11 individual trusses -- each weighing 330 metric tons -- and took eight months to assemble, according to organizers. He is chasing a 13th French Open crown and a 20th major title in the process. The latest news & tickets for tennis tournaments worldwide. The facility is named after Roland Garros, a pilot who completed the first solo flight across the Mediterranean Sea,[3] engineer (inventor of the first forward-firing aircraft machine gun),[4] and World War I hero who shot down four enemy aircraft (though popularly believed to be five). In its place, a greatly enlarged Place des Mousquetaires was constructed, where spectators can watch matches on a large video screen. They are the three show courts (Philippe-Chatrier, Suzanne-Lenglen and Simonne-Mathieu) as well as Courts 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14. You reduce your energy consumption with the. This magnificent tool illustrates our daring and our unceasing desire to build and innovate.. Originally planned for the four largest courts even before the pandemic hit, organizers have since stepped up and lighted 12 courts for the tournament, allowing for longer play on the shorter fall days. Discovery Company. https://www.engie.com/en?utm_source=roland-garros&utm_medium=partnership&utm_campaign=dark-mode. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. But they shared a personality trait that defined them: they plotted a clear path to achieve their goals. The French stop of the tennis tour is the last major to fit a retractable roof to join Wimbledon, the Australian Open and the US Open. As of 2020, there are three different Roland Garros courts that have a roof. The red brick dust is replenished as needed (daily during major tournaments). Here we answer some of your key queries on the new addition to centre court, as well as when night sessions will begin. So much so that in his book The Game, written with Frank Deford, Kramer calls Chatrier my greatest friend in tennis.. In other words, cooler conditions means lower bounce. Lets take a look. Every year during Roland Garros, Philippe used to take the British tennis writers out for an evening at a different restaurant. Clarey C (28 May 2013): "Renovation Plans in Limbo, Roland Garros Faces Future". Roland Garros Arenawas built in 1928 and it currently supports 15,166 spectators. Known as La Divine ("Divine One") and La Grand Dame ("Great Lady") of French tennis, she also won two Olympic gold medals in Antwerp in 1920. The iconic Philippe-Chatrier court finally has a retractable roof installed and the floodlights are operational too. [31] Amid charges of bluffing and brinkmanship, a spokesman explained that because Stade Roland Garros was less than half the size of the other three Grand Slam venues and had no covered courts, the French Open was at risk of losing its Grand Slam status to Madridwhich has a long clay court tradition and larger facilitiesor the Gulf countries. The structure covers Roland Garros' main stage, the Philippe-Chatrier court, in a bid to rid the biggest matches of those pesky rain delays. 4601 Jamboree Road. [+] (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images). Central Justice Center. The individual components were made in workshops near Venice over a period of two years and will cover a surface area of one hectare in total. Philippe Chatrier helped restore tennis to the Summertime Olympics in 1988. It seats 15,225 spectators as of a 2019 renovation. [35], In February 2015 the Ministry of Ecology issued a negative report, and the project was placed on hold pending completion of a new land use study for the City Council. ", Roland Garros Expansion, Roof over Chatrier Set to Proceed, "Travaux d'extension Roland-Garros: livraison en 2021", "STATUE IN HONOUR OF RAFA UNVEILED AT RG", "2021 French Open: Serena Williams lights up tournament's first-ever night session", "ROLAND-GARROS 2024: A RETRACTABLE ROOF ON COURT SUZANNE-LENGLEN", Official site of the French Tennis Federation, History from the official 2008 French Open site, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Muse de Cluny Muse national du Moyen ge, Pavillion de l'ducation physique et des sports de l'Universit Laval, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Stade_Roland_Garros&oldid=1124866009, Buildings and structures in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, Infobox mapframe without OSM relation ID on Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 30 November 2022, at 22:51. What are its various components? Conversation at dinner had been heavy, with tennis politics and difficult choices, and Philippe was inclined to plunge into melancholy moods of introspectiona strange contrast to the strong, outgoing leadership he displayed when the clouds had cleared. New for 2020: All of the quarterfinals played on Chatrier! [15][16], Built in 1994 and originally designated "Court A", Court Suzanne Lenglen is the secondary stadium with a capacity of 10,068 spectators. In 2018, the opening of Court 14 joined courts 10 through 13 as competition courts. However, another grand slam victory for Nadal would also put the Spaniard level with Roger Federer on 20 career major titles. It is the crowning glory on the centrepiece at Roland-Garros a retractable roof on the fully refurbished Court Philippe-Chatrier. Home General Info Court Locations, Hours & Phone Numbers Harbor Justice Center - Newport Beach. Published Court Philippe Chatrier is the major tennis court for the French Open at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France. READ: Margaret Court criticizes John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova over protestREAD: Djokovic says tough upbringing in Serbia made him 'hungrier for success'The individual components were made in workshops near Venice over a period of two years and will cover a surface area of one hectare in total. The king of clay Rafael Nadal will be bidding to extend his record to 13 French Open titles but will face stiff competition. Chatrier with Rene Lacoste, in 1985. Philippe-Chatrier court's retractable roof is made up of 11 trusses, each weighing 330 metric tons. Stade Roland Garros (French pronunciation:[stad l aos]; "Roland Garros Stadium") is a complex of tennis courts, including stadiums, located in Paris that hosts the French Open. Court n1/Court des Serres: 3,800 -> 4,950 seats (new court) Court du Fonds des Princes: 2,000 seats (new) + 31 side courts (14 of them located inside the Roland Garros stadium; capacities: from 300 . (Two per day, at 11:00am and 3:00pm, are in English.) Even among the Grand Slam centre stages, Court Philippe-Chatrier has no equal. In fact, only the Philippe-Chatrier court has a retractable roof and can host matches at night. But of even greater impact was his determination to get tennis re-instated as an Olympic sport after its removal from the Games in 1924. The French Open has often been criticized by players and fans in the past as there had not been any major renovations to the tournament site to make it more friendly to the players and the fans. This site works best with JavaScript enabled, Probate Conservatorship Accounting Portal, General Court Information Telephone Numbers, Detailed Parking map for all Visitors and Jurors, (TDD) Telecommunications Device for the Deaf. Don't miss any news by activating notifications! Take a tour of the new Court Philippe-Chatrier, Media Day musings: Monfils hopeful, Rafa grateful. 2023 - all rights reserved If you are already a Tennis.com user click the LOGIN button, otherwise create an account and start playing. Roland-Garros has your questions covered on its new state-of-the-art retractable roof over Court Philippe-Chatrier. (Getty Images). The French Open is one of the most historic competitions in the world, but the clay court venue has been brought bang up to date with the addition of a retractable roof. Wanting greater influence, he founded Tennis de France which quickly became one of Europes most influential voices. The date of the men's final, which traditionally closes the fortnight, is set for Sunday, June 11, 2023. 2023 Cable News Network. It took two years to manufacture the trusses in workshops located near Venice. The process is repeated several times until a thin, compact layer coats each court. READ: Margaret Court criticizes John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova over protestREAD: Djokovic says tough upbringing in Serbia made him hungrier for success. In tournament situations workers smooth the surface before matches and between sets by dragging rectangular lengths of chain-link across it. If the conditions improve and play can resume, the match will continue with the roof open. It seats 15,225 spectators as of a 2019 renovation. Philippe-Chatrier court's retractable roof is made up of 11 trusses, each weighing 330 metric tons. Court Philippe Chatrier is the center court at the French Open 2021 The Court Philippe Chatrier was built in 1928 and is the center court at Roland Garros. [28], The media library houses a diverse collection of documents, posters, books, and magazines, as well as a database of tennis information, statistics, trivia, and match summaries of all French Open tournament matches since 1928. It could come particularly useful with the days being shorter at this time of year than the usual May-June slow. None play the same. [29], In 2009 the FFT announced that it had commissioned the French architect Marc Mimram to design a significant expansion of Stade Roland Garros. You have the right to access to you personnal data, and to ask the deletion of them according to the limitations foreseen by the law. The roof, which will take approximately 15 minutes to close, is made up of 11 individual trusses each weighing 330 metric tons and took eight months to assemble, according to organizers. Its 11-pane retractable roof is currently being fitted: 8 sections are already in place and the last 3 will be installed by the end of January 2020. The French Open is one of the most historic competitions in the world, but the clay court venue has been brought bang up to date with the addition of a retractable roof. It then took eight months to assemble the 11 trusses, install the acoustic panels, lift the trusses into place and fit the canvases. [48] In the same year, the tournament introduced night sessions on Court Philippe Chatrier for the first time in its history.