Stade Roland Garros, Tennis venue in 16th arrondissement, France
Roland Garros is a tennis venue in the 16th arrondissement of Paris featuring twenty courts spread across 13.5 hectares (33 acres), including the three main stadiums Philippe Chatrier, Suzanne Lenglen, and Simonne Mathieu. The complex combines modern facilities with traditional elements and serves as the home of international competition.
The complex opened in 1928 to host the first defense of the Davis Cup by France after the French team won the competition in 1927. Construction marked the beginning of a golden era for French tennis in the interwar period.
The venue takes its name from Roland Garros, a World War I fighter pilot who became the first person to fly solo across the Mediterranean. Visitors notice the French tradition of linking sporting achievement with historical memory, reflected in the architecture and naming choices throughout the grounds.
The venue sits near Metro stations Porte d'Auteuil and Michel-Ange-Molitor, both offering straightforward connections to central Paris. Guided tours run throughout the year and provide access to areas closed to the public during tournaments.
The courts use a surface of white limestone covered with red brick dust, creating the specific playing conditions found here. This combination slows the ball and produces a higher bounce than hard courts.
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