Sports in France achieves lot of fame and international recognition through French Open.. One of the most important tennis championship of the world ,The French Open is held from the last week of May to the middle of second week of June each year. Along with the Australian Open, The Wimbledon and the US open the French Open is a prestigious Grand Slam tennis event . However unlike the other three grand slam championships which are played on grass courts, The French Open is played on a clay court. The stamina required to play on the clay court is much more than the grass court as a result playing tennis in French Open requires more energy and grit.French Open has a long history associated with sports in France . For the first time in 1891, under this famed tournament , the tennis matches for men were held.Few years later, in 1897, French Open was thrown open to women . However it was only in 1925 , that the French Open became an international tournament .
Till 1924 only French nationals were allowed to participate in this premier tennis event of France.
Spanning for two weeks this famous tennis tournament is held at the famous Roland Garros stadium of Paris. The stadium is situated in south west of Paris . Incidentally, Rolland Garros was one of the great French aviator and a daring fighter pilot . The famous court of Rolland Garros stadium is Philippe Chatrier which can accommodate 15,166 spectators. Chatrier was a former French tennis player and a great sports administrator.
French open is a great institution of sports in France. Diverse prizes are given to the winners of French Open. The recipient of men’s singles title receives Coupe des Mousquetaires whereas winner of women’s single title receives Coupe Suzanne Lenglen trophy . Legendary, Bjorn Borg of Sweden holds a world record of winning the French Open Singles men’s title for six times from 1974 to 1975 and 1978 to 1981. On the other hand Chris Evert holds the world record of winning the French open women singles title for seven times . Michael Chang of United States was the youngest to clinch the men’s crown. Among French tennis players Yannick Noah and Mary Pierce have won the French Open singles title.
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The 2007 Men’s single crown was clinched for the third time in row by Rafael Nadal of Spain who defeated Roger Federer of Switzerland 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 and 6-4. and the women’s crown was clinched by Belgium’s ,Justine Henin by trouncing Serbia’s , Ana Ivanovi of Serbia 6-1, 6-2 . French Open is one of the most watched sports in France.
Many tourists visit Paris to watch one of the biggest tennis extravaganza in the world .. The 2008 French Open will be held next year from May 25th to June 8th .
To understand these annual sports events better please click on the following links.
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