Each year, the prestigious Roland Garros takes place on the clay courts at the Stade Roland Garros. It is the only clay court major in tennis and was the first recognized Grand Slam in the Open Era. The first-ever Roland Garros took place in 1891 at the Societé de Sport de Île de Puteaux, where the competition was held on grass courts.
After 1894, the French Open changed venues many times and was even held in Bordeaux and several different clubs in Paris. Also, between 1892 and 1907, the Roland Garros was held on sand courts. In 1925, the competition was first classified as a major tournament by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
Since 1928, the French Open has taken place at the world-renowned Stade Roland Garros. The venue is one of the most recognizable and famous in world sport. Roland Garros was named after a heroic French pilot in World War One, renowned for his bravery and courage.
Along with the other three Grand Slams, the Roland Garros is one of the most competitive and toughest tennis tournaments in the calendar. In the men's and women's draws, 128 players entered the singles main draw. However, doubles events for men’s, women’s and mixed pairs also take place during the two-week event.
Certain players have excelled on clay courts in the men's and women’s events, which has led to periods of dominance at the Roland Garros. In the men's singles, Rafael Nadal won the Grand Slam a record 14 times between 2005 and 2022. Retired US player Chris Evert was also hugely successful at the French Open. She won seven of her 18 major titles at the Roland Garros.
