Born in 1891 on the courts of a Parisian club, the French Championship became Roland-Garros, the only Grand Slam tournament played on clay. Its stadium, built in a few months for the 1928 Davis Cup, has been expanded and modernized numerous times: it grew from 3 to 12 hectares, and its two main courts are now covered. History, renovations, surface area, stadiums and capacities, records, and full roll of honor: here’s everything you need to know about the tournament at Porte d’Auteuil.
From Origins to International Tournament (1891-1927)
The first French Championship was held in 1891 in Paris, on the courts of the Racing Club de France. It was initially reserved for members of French clubs. The women’s event appeared in 1897, won by Adine Masson.
Until 1927, the tournament alternated between the Racing Club de France and the Stade Français. Two names dominated this era: Max Decugis, eight-time champion between 1903 and 1914, and Suzanne Lenglen, six-time winner between 1920 and 1926.
In 1925, the federation opened the tournament to foreign players. The French Championship became the French Internationals, and from that date, the tournament was counted among the Grand Slam events. René Lacoste and Suzanne Lenglen were the first winners of this new era.
1928: A Stadium Built for the Davis Cup
In 1927, the Four Musketeers (Jean Borotra, Jacques Brugnon, Henri Cochet, and René Lacoste) won the Davis Cup in the United States. France had to defend its title at home the following year, and no Parisian venue was large enough to host the final.
A stadium was therefore built during the winter of 1927-1928, near Porte d’Auteuil, on land belonging to the Stade Français. It covered 3.25 hectares, featured 5 courts, and a center court with 10,000 seats.
The stadium was named Roland Garros, after the pioneering aviator who was the first to cross the Mediterranean by plane in 1913 and died in aerial combat in 1918. The idea came from Émile Lesieur, a rugby international and former classmate of the aviator at HEC.
The Musketeers retained the Davis Cup there in 1928, and then until 1932. The French Internationals permanently settled there.
World War II
During the war, the stadium was requisitioned and transformed into a transit camp for foreigners deemed "undesirable." Around 600 people were interned under the stands of the center court, including writer Arthur Koestler.
The tournament did not take place in 1940. From 1941 to 1945, a "French Tournament" was organized under the Occupation, but its results were not recognized by the French Tennis Federation. The French Internationals resumed in 1946.
The Open Era (Since 1968)
In 1968, Roland-Garros became the first Grand Slam tournament open to professionals. This first "Open" edition attracted 120,000 spectators. Ken Rosewall and Nancy Richey were the first winners.
The tournament is held every year over two weeks, in late May and early June. The only exception: in 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was postponed to autumn for the first time in its history.
Major Renovation Milestones
The 1928 stadium was expanded in stages, following the tournament’s success.
- 1928: Stadium construction, 5 courts, center court with 10,000 seats — 3.25 ha
- Mid-1970s: First expansions — 3.35 ha
- 1979-1980: Construction of Court No. 1, the "arena" (approx. 3,800 seats) — 4 ha
- 1980-1986: New courts and buildings (7.9 million euros) — 5.7 ha
- 1987-1991: Modernization of facilities (10.7 million euros) — 6 ha
- 1992-1994: Construction of the Suzanne-Lenglen Court (35 million euros) — 7.9 ha
- 1999: Renovation of the center court (50 million euros), capacity reduced from 16,500 to 15,000 seats
- Early 2010s: Stadium became too small for a Grand Slam — 8.5 ha
- 2015-2021: Major modernization and expansion project — approx. 12 ha
The amounts from 1980 to 1994 were paid in francs; they are shown here converted to euros.
The Major Modernization Project (2015-2021)
In the early 2010s, the stadium had become too small compared to other Grand Slam tournaments. The French Tennis Federation even considered leaving Paris before deciding to stay at Porte d’Auteuil and expand toward the Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil, adjacent to the stadium.
The project sparked a lengthy legal battle. Heritage preservation associations, local residents, and environmental politicians opposed it, and a petition gathered over 60,000 signatures. The inquiry commission limited the perimeter to 12 hectares, instead of the requested 14.6. The administrative court annulled an initial deliberation in 2013. Building permits were only signed in 2015, after arbitration by the Prime Minister, and the last appeals were rejected in 2016.
The budget, estimated at 273 million euros in 2011, was entirely financed by the federation, through its own funds and loans. The renovations transformed the stadium edition by edition:
- 2018: Opening of new Courts 7, 9, and 14;
- 2019: Inauguration of the Simonne-Mathieu Court (5,000 seats), semi-underground in the heart of the Serres d’Auteuil, and Courts 10 to 16. The Philippe-Chatrier Court was completely rebuilt;
- After the 2019 edition: Demolition of Court No. 1, the "arena" with its circular stands, much loved by spectators;
- 2020: The Philippe-Chatrier Court received its retractable roof;
- 2021: First night sessions, thanks to lighting on the main courts;
- 2024: The Suzanne-Lenglen Court was in turn covered with a retractable roof, just before the Paris Olympic Games. The stadium hosted the tennis, wheelchair tennis, and boxing events.
The Main Courts and Their Capacities
- Philippe-Chatrier (1928, rebuilt in 2018-2019): 15,225 seats. Formerly the "center court," renamed in 2001 in honor of the former federation president. Retractable roof since 2020
- Suzanne-Lenglen (1994): approx. 10,000 seats. Renamed in 1997 in honor of the champion. Retractable roof since 2024
- Simonne-Mathieu (2019): 5,000 seats. In the heart of the Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil, surrounded by botanical greenhouses. Named after the two-time champion of 1938 and 1939, a Resistance figure
- Court No. 1 (1980): approx. 3,800 seats. Nicknamed the "arena" for its circular stands. Demolished after the 2019 edition
The stadium now has 18 clay competition courts over approximately 12 hectares. In 2026, its capacity was increased to 77,000 spectators per day.
Roland-Garros in Numbers
- 125th edition in 2026, from May 25 to June 7.
- 727,500 spectators in 2026, a historic record (687,249 in 2025), including 138,000 during the qualifying week.
- 53.5 million euros in prize money in 2024.
- 14 titles for Rafael Nadal (2005-2022), an absolute record in singles, men and women combined.
- 7 titles for Chris Evert, the women’s record.
- The men’s singles winner receives the Coupe des Mousquetaires.
The Last French Winners
- Men: Yannick Noah, in 1983. No Frenchman has won since.
- Women: Mary Pierce, in 2000.
The Musketeers dominated the early era: René Lacoste (3 titles) and Henri Cochet (4 titles) shared all editions from 1925 to 1932, except for 1931, won by Jean Borotra.
Complete Roll of Honor Since 1925
For each year: the men’s singles winner, followed by the women’s singles winner.
The Open Era (Since 1968)
- 2026: Alexander Zverev (Germany) · Mirra Andreeva (Russia)
- 2025: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) · Coco Gauff (United States)
- 2024: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) · Iga Świątek (Poland)
- 2023: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) · Iga Świątek (Poland)
- 2022: Rafael Nadal (Spain) · Iga Świątek (Poland)
- 2021: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) · Barbora Krejčíková (Czech Republic)
- 2020: Rafael Nadal (Spain) · Iga Świątek (Poland)
- 2019: Rafael Nadal (Spain) · Ashleigh Barty (Australia)
- 2018: Rafael Nadal (Spain) · Simona Halep (Romania)
- 2017: Rafael Nadal (Spain) · Jeļena Ostapenko (Latvia)
- 2016: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) · Garbiñe Muguruza (Spain)
- 2015: Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland) · Serena Williams (United States)
- 2014: Rafael Nadal (Spain) · Maria Sharapova (Russia)
- 2013: Rafael Nadal (Spain) · Serena Williams (United States)
- 2012: Rafael Nadal (Spain) · Maria Sharapova (Russia)
- 2011: Rafael Nadal (Spain) · Li Na (China)
- 2010: Rafael Nadal (Spain) · Francesca Schiavone (Italy)
- 2009: Roger Federer (Switzerland) · Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia)
- 2008: Rafael Nadal (Spain) · Ana Ivanović (Serbia)
- 2007: Rafael Nadal (Spain) · Justine Henin (Belgium)
- 2006: Rafael Nadal (Spain) · Justine Henin (Belgium)
- 2005: Rafael Nadal (Spain) · Justine Henin (Belgium)
- 2004: Gastón Gaudio (Argentina) · Anastasia Myskina (Russia)
- 2003: Juan Carlos Ferrero (Spain) · Justine Henin (Belgium)
- 2002: Albert Costa (Spain) · Serena Williams (United States)
- 2001: Gustavo Kuerten (Brazil) · Jennifer Capriati (United States)
- 2000: Gustavo Kuerten (Brazil) · Mary Pierce (France)
- 1999: Andre Agassi (United States) · Steffi Graf (Germany)
- 1998: Carlos Moyá (Spain) · Arantxa Sánchez Vicario (Spain)
- 1997: Gustavo Kuerten (Brazil) · Iva Majoli (Croatia)
- 1996: Yevgeny Kafelnikov (Russia) · Steffi Graf (Germany)
- 1995: Thomas Muster (Austria) · Steffi Graf (Germany)
- 1994: Sergi Bruguera (Spain) · Arantxa Sánchez Vicario (Spain)
- 1993: Sergi Bruguera (Spain) · Steffi Graf (Germany)
- 1992: Jim Courier (United States) · Monica Seles (Yugoslavia)
- 1991: Jim Courier (United States) · Monica Seles (Yugoslavia)
- 1990: Andrés Gómez (Ecuador) · Monica Seles (Yugoslavia)
- 1989: Michael Chang (United States) · Arantxa Sánchez Vicario (Spain)
- 1988: Mats Wilander (Sweden) · Steffi Graf (West Germany)
- 1987: Ivan Lendl (Czechoslovakia) · Steffi Graf (West Germany)
- 1986: Ivan Lendl (Czechoslovakia) · Chris Evert (United States)
- 1985: Mats Wilander (Sweden) · Chris Evert (United States)
- 1984: Ivan Lendl (Czechoslovakia) · Martina Navratilova (United States)
- 1983: Yannick Noah (France) · Chris Evert (United States)
- 1982: Mats Wilander (Sweden) · Martina Navratilova (United States)
- 1981: Björn Borg (Sweden) · Hana Mandlíková (Czechoslovakia)
- 1980: Björn Borg (Sweden) · Chris Evert (United States)
- 1979: Björn Borg (Sweden) · Chris Evert (United States)
- 1978: Björn Borg (Sweden) · Virginia Ruzici (Romania)
- 1977: Guillermo Vilas (Argentina) · Mima Jaušovec (Yugoslavia)
- 1976: Adriano Panatta (Italy) · Sue Barker (Great Britain)
- 1975: Björn Borg (Sweden) · Chris Evert (United States)
- 1974: Björn Borg (Sweden) · Chris Evert (United States)
- 1973: Ilie Năstase (Romania) · Margaret Court (Australia)
- 1972: Andrés Gimeno (Spain) · Billie Jean King (United States)
- 1971: Jan Kodeš (Czechoslovakia) · Evonne Goolagong (Australia)
- 1970: Jan Kodeš (Czechoslovakia) · Margaret Court (Australia)
- 1969: Rod Laver (Australia) · Margaret Court (Australia)
- 1968: Ken Rosewall (Australia) · Nancy Richey (United States)
From International Opening to the Open Era (1925-1967)
- 1967: Roy Emerson (Australia) · Françoise Dürr (France)
- 1966: Tony Roche (Australia) · Ann Haydon-Jones (Great Britain)
- 1965: Fred Stolle (Australia) · Lesley Turner (Australia)
- 1964: Manuel Santana (Spain) · Margaret Court (Australia)
- 1963: Roy Emerson (Australia) · Lesley Turner (Australia)
- 1962: Rod Laver (Australia) · Margaret Court (Australia)
- 1961: Manuel Santana (Spain) · Ann Haydon (Great Britain)
- 1960: Nicola Pietrangeli (Italy) · Darlene Hard (United States)
- 1959: Nicola Pietrangeli (Italy) · Christine Truman (Great Britain)
- 1958: Mervyn Rose (Australia) · Zsuzsa Körmöczy (Hungary)
- 1957: Sven Davidson (Sweden) · Shirley Bloomer (Great Britain)
- 1956: Lew Hoad (Australia) · Althea Gibson (United States)
- 1955: Tony Trabert (United States) · Angela Mortimer (Great Britain)
- 1954: Tony Trabert (United States) · Maureen Connolly (United States)
- 1953: Ken Rosewall (Australia) · Maureen Connolly (United States)
- 1952: Jaroslav Drobný (Egypt) · Doris Hart (United States)
- 1951: Jaroslav Drobný (Egypt) · Shirley Fry (United States)
- 1950: Budge Patty (United States) · Doris Hart (United States)
- 1949: Frank Parker (United States) · Margaret Osborne duPont (United States)
- 1948: Frank Parker (United States) · Nelly Adamson Landry (France)
- 1947: József Asbóth (Hungary) · Patricia Canning Todd (United States)
- 1946: Marcel Bernard (France) · Margaret Osborne duPont (United States)
- 1941-1945: French Tournament, not recognized · French Tournament, not recognized
- 1940: Not held · Not held
- 1939: Don McNeill (United States) · Simonne Mathieu (France)
- 1938: Don Budge (United States) · Simonne Mathieu (France)
- 1937: Henner Henkel (Germany) · Hilde Krahwinkel Sperling (Denmark)
- 1936: Gottfried von Cramm (Germany) · Hilde Krahwinkel Sperling (Denmark)
- 1935: Fred Perry (Great Britain) · Hilde Krahwinkel Sperling (Denmark)
- 1934: Gottfried von Cramm (Germany) · Margaret Scriven (Great Britain)
- 1933: Jack Crawford (Australia) · Margaret Scriven (Great Britain)
- 1932: Henri Cochet (France) · Helen Wills Moody (United States)
- 1931: Jean Borotra (France) · Cilly Aussem (Germany)
- 1930: Henri Cochet (France) · Helen Wills Moody (United States)
- 1929: René Lacoste (France) · Helen Wills Moody (United States)
- 1928: Henri Cochet (France) · Helen Wills Moody (United States)
- 1927: René Lacoste (France) · Kea Bouman (Netherlands)
- 1926: Henri Cochet (France) · Suzanne Lenglen (France)
- 1925: René Lacoste (France) · Suzanne Lenglen (France)
French winners are in bold. The countries are those under whose colors the players competed: Jaroslav Drobný, a Czechoslovak refugee, played for Egypt at the time.
Play on Clay Near You
The tournament can be watched on television, but clay courts are also played in clubs. On Sportwhen, indicate your level and availability: you’ll find partners near you for a match or training. And if you play competitively, discover how the FFT ranking is calculated.
Sources
- Stade Roland-Garros, Wikipedia
- French Open, Wikipedia
- List of French Open men's singles champions, Wikipedia
- List of French Open women's singles champions, Wikipedia
- Roland-Garros to expand in Paris, Banque des Territoires
- Retractable roof on Suzanne-Lenglen Court, Roland-Garros
- Roland-Garros 2021: New schedule with night sessions, Roland-Garros
- Roland-Garros Stadium, Paris 2024 Olympic Games venue, Olympics.com
- Roland-Garros 2026: Record attendance with 727,500 spectators, Info.fr
Illustration photo: Genesis Warner on Unsplash
