Who is Amelie Mauresmo? Know all about the first female director of Roland Garros

Who is Amelie Mauresmo? Know all about the first female director of Roland Garros

Amelie Mauresmo

In a groundbreaking decision, former world number 1 Amelie Mauresmo has been appointed as the Director of the Roland-Garros tournament, becoming the first woman to be elected to the post. In fact, she’s only the second female to be appointed as a Grand Slam director after current US Open head Stacey Allaster.

Announced officially by the country’s tennis Federation, she will be succeeding Guy Forget, who left his post on the expiration of his contract. Forget is a former world number 4 who had been running the tournament since 2016. Under him, the Stade Roland Garros had undergone a major renovation, with the addition of a retractable roof on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Who is Amelie Mauresmo?

Amelie Mauresmo, Andy Murray

Amelie Mauresmo is a former world number 1 and a two-time Grand Slam champion, winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2006. The 42-year-old was the first French player, man or woman, to reach the top of the rankings in the modern era in 2004. She was ranked number 1 for 39 weeks. Being inspired to play Tennis after watching Yannick Noah win the 1983 French Open, she herself enjoyed a glorious career, enthralling people with her famous backhand.

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Along with Grand Slams, she also won Fed Cup with France in 2003, the WTA Tour Championships in 2005, and the Olympic silver at Athens in 2004. Post her retirement, she has served as the captain of France’s women’s Fed Cup team and has also gone on to coach one of the most talented players of this generation in Andy Murray.

Amelie Mauresmo: New Director of the Roland-Garros

https://twitter.com/FFTennis/status/1468885193515749377?t=pJPJ-Eh7WW9UIbB1EjwfZg&s=19 
"Yes, I am very proud to be the first woman director of Roland Garros, but I also believe that it is necessary to emphasize why I am here, other (reasons) than my gender.”

Mauresmo revealed her pride in being named the head of the Roland Garros in a press conference, revealing how she would like to break gender stereotypes and ensure that she sets an example of how gender shouldn’t matter at any post provided the talent is there.

"This tournament has made me dream since my early days, has created a vocation in me.”

In the press conference post the announcement, she revealed how special the French Open is to her. Though she couldn’t emulate her inspiration, Yannick Noah, by winning the French Open, she would now look to carry forward the legacy of the prestigious tournament and make necessary improvements.

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