French Open 2025: All You Need to Know About the Iconic Tennis Tournament
The business end of the French Open is upon us, with the world’s top tennis players battling it out on the iconic red clay of Roland Garros. According to a report by CNN, the tournament has reached its climax, with World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka set to face American star Coco Gauff in the women’s final. Meanwhile, in the men’s draw, Carlos Alcaraz will take on world No. 1 Jannik Sinner for the coveted title.
The French Open, one of tennis’ four grand slam tournaments, is the only one played on clay. The tournament has a rich history, dating back to 1891 when it was first held as the “French Clay-Court Championships,” allowing only players from France to compete. It wasn’t until 1925 that foreign players were first invited to participate. CNN reports that the tournament was officially created in 1925, and a new arena was purpose-built for France’s defense of its 1927 Davis Cup title, named after Roland Garros, a pioneering French aviator who was killed in World War I.
But what makes the French Open different from the other grand slams? For one, the courts are not entirely made of clay. According to CNN, clay makes up just a small part of the tennis court, with 1-2 millimeters of crushed red bricks giving them their famous red hue. Playing on clay is considerably different from playing on grass or hard courts, with clay being the slowest of the three surfaces, producing longer rallies, more running, and more shots.
The French Open is also known for its unique atmosphere, with the crowd being among the most boisterous on the tennis calendar. CNN reports that the famous chant taken from the pasodoble “En Er Mundo” can be heard across Roland Garros throughout the tournament’s two weeks, with the crowd singing “Popopopopopopo pololoooo!” and responding with an “Olééé!”
In terms of prize money, the French Open offers equal pay for both men and women, a trend that is consistent across all four grand slams. According to CNN, the US Open was the first to award both tournament winners equal money in 1973, followed by the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and Roland Garros.
The French Open has also seen its fair share of iconic moments, including Serena Williams’ superhero-esque ‘catsuit’ she wore in 2018. CNN reports that players have debuted some eye-catching outfits at Roland Garros over the years, with Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen modeling a unique calf-length pleated skirt inspired by Suzanne Lenglen’s iconic style.
As the tournament reaches its climax, we are guaranteed to see a brand new winner of the women’s title, with either Sabalenka or Gauff set to have their name etched in history. In the men’s draw, can Alcaraz become the first man to go back-to-back since his idol Nadal in 2020, or will Sinner win his first French Open? CNN provides in-depth analysis and coverage of the tournament, making it the go-to source for all your French Open news.
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