The Roland-Garros (the French Open) is one of the top four major Grand Slam tournaments in the world. It takes place over two weeks between late May and early June and if you happen to stay with us at our luxury hotel on Boulevard Haussmann you should make sure not to miss it. Its history goes all the way back to 1927 when a group of French tennis players known as the French musketeers (in french les Mousquetaires) beat the United States for the first time, thereby winning the Davis Cup. After such a grand success, the French quickly needed to build a stadium of their own for the musketeers to defend their title. The building was to be built outside of Paris. Part of the terms agreed upon when negotiating for the land were that the stadium must be named after a World War I soldier. Many heroes, were considered, but eventually an aviation hero called Roland Garros was chosen.
So who was Roland Garros and what made him a suitable candidate for such an honour?
In France, no World War I history class was complete without mentioning him. The young entrepreneur and business student reached fame in 1913, when he became the first person to fly over the Mediterranean Sea, flying all the way from Fréjus in France to Bizerte in Tunisia. Still in his twenties he had perfected the art of aviation and became a famous tournament pilot, attracting masses of spectatures to his events. Bravery drew him to sign up to the army and become a fighter pilot when World War I broke out.
Although the true definition of “ace”, being five or more victories, Roland Garros with four downed enemy planes is often referred to as a fighter ace. His heroic acts and bravery lead him to die in action in 1918. Ten years after he was killed during the war, Roland Garros became the new emblem of French tennis. Now, instead of being associated with his war heroism, his name is widely associated with the famous tennis tournament.
So who does Roland Garros have to thank for this?
“Roland Garros, funnily enough was himself never a tennis player,” says Christopher Clarey, New York Times sports correspondent. Actually rugby, football and cycling were his areas of expertise.
He was given the honour not due to his association to the sport but rather due to his true friend Emile Lesueur, president of the Stade Français. As one of Garros’ former classmates and someone who had been supported by the pilot several decades previously, he requested his friend to be given the honour of being remembered for the coming centuries. Now the tournament is famous for it being the only Grand Slam that is played on a clay court. The other three such famous tournaments are the US Open, Wimbledon and the Australian Open.
The 2019 Grand Slam tournament is scheduled to kick-start from May 26th – June 9th, 2019. The event is located in Paris France and has taken place for the last 126 years.
Notable memories at Roland-Garros
Rafael Nadal is one of the 21st centuries most famous players. He has made history for having won eleven men’s singles titles. Chris Evert is the most successful woman athlete in the tournament having won seven women singles titles. The event has though eluded some of the greatest players, including Venus Williams, Jimmy Connors, Boris Becker and Bill Tilden.
When it comes to a clay court, there is a lot at stake. Anyone has the potential to win the tournament as its like no other.
Tickets and Packages
There are different packages that you can purchase guaranteeing you to get a unique experience worth your money. The emotion package costs at €330. You are guaranteed access to your own private lounge from 10:00 onwards. Additionally, there is unlimited food and beverages for the day.
The elegance package costs €380 and it guarantees access to outside courts. In terms of lounge and catering, there is free access to private lounge from 10:00. Food and beverages come in plenty and there is also a Roland-Garros branded gift for each guest. The official address for the location of the event is the second Avenue Gordon Bennett | Stade Roland Garros, 75016 Paris, France.
If you’re staying with us at our boutique hotel in the 8th arrondissement you will be at the event in no time. The 2019 Roland-Garros tournaments promise to be an exciting and magnificent affair. The whole experience allows an exciting, but relaxing vibe.