A clay surface history which offers completely different way to play tennis – more elegant, and more tactical.
« Roland Garros is one of the pearl of the capital. We have the chance to organize in Paris one of the most beautiful tennis tournaments in the world and it will be even more beautiful in the years to come. In the context of the new Roland Garros, the tournament is actually in full mutation in order to meet the expectations of the different audiences of the stadium. The spectators will be able to discover the new layout which promise to be splendid.” These words from Guy Forget, spoken in 2018, announced the transformations of Roland Garros.
In the manner of the roof of the Chatrier Court. But there is one thing that will always be inseparable from the Paris tournament: its clay court.
In this atmosphere on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne, Roland Garros stadium is like an arena-garden where the ochre earth has fascinated the world since 1928.
Why clay at Roland Garros ?
In Cannes in 1880, the two Renshaw brothers, multiple Wimbledon champions, have for the first time used a clay powder to cover the grass courts… because it was impossible to play on grass courts in this heat !
Ever since the clay court has become the true signature of French tennis, favouring a game that is a little more technical, and eminently more chic!
A less direct tennis, more thoughtful, more subtle too. Not surprising then, that the Roland Garros tournament was the most difficult to dominate over time. That is, until Rafael Nadal arrived. On this matter, the Spanish player who holds the record for wins at Roland Garros (12), loves to say : « It gives you more playing options. » Clay, by accentuating the effects, favors the full range of the game. Topspin softened… The show is guaranteed !
The composition of the clay itself is based on a profound reasoning. Made up of five layers, each about 80 centimeters thick, the soil is made up of thick pebbles, gravel, a layer of clinker (volcanic rock residue), and compacted limestone…
Above, there is a thin layer of crushed brick is sprinkled over a thickness of two millimeters. It is an assembly which, since the 1928 Davis Cup final, has been the favourite ground for the greatest champions confrontation .
A surface which inspires the most beautiful moments of world tennis. Tactical, emotional and, above all, historical moments are recounted in detail in books that are as aesthetic as they are didactic. A selection of books to be found here.
Telling you more about… Roland-Garros
Roland Garros 2021 : 127 Years of History
Roland-GarrosPanama: From the Villages of Ecuador to Paris
Logo Roland Garros : round like a tennis ball
RG 2021 : Roger Federer et Kei Nishikori by Uniqlo
Roland Garros 2021 : a small but emblamatic ball
Perrier : an historical partner of Rolland Garros
Roland Garros’ small yellow ball.
The 46th Lacoste Collection and Roland-Garros
The yellow Babolat ball, star of Rolland Garros
The new Longine L3.716.4.76.6, the time-kepper of Rolland Garros
the new Longine’s V.H.P conquest: officiel timer of Roland Garros2017.
Lacoste Spring/summer 2017 : The Dress Lacoste shows up at Roland Garros
Roland-Garros and J.M. Weston : The Moc’ for Célébration
Swatch Roland Garros, the watches in limited edition
Lacoste’s polo Roland-Garros
The pleated skirt, an icon of Roland Garros: from the tennis court to the city center
The small yellow ball at Roland Garros
The Lacoste polo going for Roland Garros
a racket history… the star of Roland Garros.
The Tennis Fashion, from yesterday back to Roland Garros 2017
Rolland Garros 2020 : the story of a small iconic ball