Money, privacy and clay: this is what Roland Garros will be like
The Parisian event has not only increased the prize pool. It has brought important debates to the table. From the intimacy of the tennis players to the future format of the women’s game.
The tournament will distribute 61.7 million euros, 10% more than last year. The individual champions will take home 2.8 million each. Even whoever loses in the first round will get 87,000 euros.
But beyond the numbers, director Amélie Mauresmo has been clear about the philosophy of the event.
“Our ambition is not to repeat everything that is done elsewhere”,
expressed Mauresmo. “This is not something that corresponds with us, with the image of Roland Garros.”
A tournament with its own character
That means saying ‘no’ to certain innovations from other Grand Slams. There will not be a ‘1 Point Slam’ style contest like in Australia. And the human linesmen will remain, in the face of widespread electronic singing.
“They are not 100% reliable, but our decision was to keep our way,” he admitted.
However, there is one issue where Mauresmo is open to change: the women’s format.
“As a player… I would have liked to play in the best-of-five final. So maybe one day, you never know,”
recalled the former world number 1.
One of the most anticipated announcements was about player privacy. An issue that Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff had raised in Melbourne.
Mauresmo was forceful: tennis must “maintain respect for privacy.”
“Players need a private area, something that is not going to change,” he said. “No camera access (there).”
The essence is in the earth
Roland Garros wants to reinforce its identity linked to the clay court. Gilles Moretton, director of the French Federation, announced a strong investment to build more tracks of this type.
Currently they only represent 13% of the fields in France.
Among other new features for this year:
- An opening ceremony before the finals.
- Players will be able to use portable devices to collect physical data on the court.
- A ‘Jardin des Chefs’ with 13 French chefs rotating to offer gastronomy.
- Tribute to Gaël Monfils and Stan Wawrinka, who are retiring this season.
- The men’s doubles final will be played before the women’s singles final.
The activity starts this Sunday, May 24. With more money, yes. But above all, with a clear intention to do things their own way.
