Roland Garros Director Rejects Call to Introduce One Point Slam at the French Open

The French Open aims to maintain its traditional and conservative framework and structure amid Grand Slams evolution.

Roland Garros Director Rejects Call to Introduce One Point Slam at the French Open

Amelie Mauresmo (via X/French Open)

In Short
  • Roland Garros Director Amelie Mauresmo has rejected the introduction of the One Point Slam format at the French Open.
  • The tournament aims to maintain its authenticity and traditional values, distancing itself from recent innovations in other Grand Slams.
  • Upcoming French Open features top players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, both seeking significant titles and momentum.

Roland Garros Director Amelie Mauresmo has ruled out introducing the One Point Slam format at the French Open, distancing the Grand Slam tournament from any major innovation tested in recent months. The One Point Slam is an exhibition event held at the Australian Open since 2025.

Several Grand Slams are seeking to revolutionize their tournament and make them more attractive for fans. Wimbledon has an exhibition tournament known as the Invitational Doubles, where retired players feature in the doubles competition. The US Open last year reformatted its mixed doubles tournament.

For the first time in the history of the mixed doubles at the US Open, it was played before the start of the singles. Several top single players, including Jack Draper, Iga Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic, featured at the tournament. This year, at the Australian Open, the organizers increased the prize money for the One Point Slam.

That attracted top players to compete at the exhibition tournament and attracted fans to the stadium. Ahead of the French Open, which is slated to start on May 30, some pundits have been calling on the organizers to follow the trend by staging an exhibition match to build momentum for the singles and doubles categories.

But that doesn’t seem like happening at the Roland Garros. During an interview on Ubitennis, its director, Amelie Mauresmo, made it clear that Roland Garros will not follow the same path as other Grand Slam tournaments, as it aims to align with a more conservative framework centered on competitive integrity and structural continuity:

First of all, I believe that our DNA, our ambitions, are not necessarily about following what others do. And it’s not about chasing fame at all costs. For us, authenticity is more important; we are rooted in our traditions and we also look toward the future, modernity, and innovation in other areas. This initiative is not something that, for us, aligns with the image of Roland Garros. For us, authenticity is more important; we are rooted in our traditions and we also look toward the future, modernity, innovation in other areas.

The French Open, maintaining its standard, doesn’t lose the authenticity of the tournament. However, they align with most clay tournaments, including the ATP Masters and WTA 1000 events, which feature a conservative framework. Clay tournaments usually have a traditional air.

What to watch out for at the 2026 French Open following last year’s incredible performances

Last year’s French Open ended in a phenomenal style as the women’s and men’s finals had a nerve-racking ending. Coco Gauff had to come from a set down to beat Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the women’s singles last year, making her the first American to win the clay Grand Slam since Serena Williams in 2015.

Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz
Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/The Tennis Letter, Tennis Channel)

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner played the longest French Open singles final. The match lasted for five hours and 29 minutes, in which Sinner had won the first two sets and was seeking to sweep aside the Spaniard before Alcaraz attempted a mind-blowing comeback to seal the win after five sets. He became the first man to win the French Open twice since his idol, Rafael Nadal.

This year’s Roland Garros is certainly going to be one to look forward to. Currently, Alcaraz is not at his best form. He’s yet to win a clay title or a tour-level title since February. Meanwhile, Sinner, who has not won a clay-court title since 2022, claimed his first at the Monte Carlo Masters after beating Alcaraz in the final.

Sinner needs to win the French Open to earn his career Grand Slam, something that Alcaraz did at the Australian Open. Alcaraz will be aiming to defend the French Open and keep his hopes alive of reclaiming the World No.1 spot. But Sinner has not lost a match in sixteen ties on tour, which is scary.

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