French Open tournament director Guy Forget explains various dynamics of night sessions in Paris
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Roland Garros
Playing tennis at the highest level requires adapting skills. Over the years, we have seen many talented players unable to adapt to various conditions for unknown reasons. However, the ongoing pandemic has forced one and all to be open to adjusting to different conditions and circumstances.
Although we see several tournaments taking place with the crowd in the stadium, we are also aware of the fact that upon emergency, the players will also need to be prepared to play in front of empty seats. We saw how the 2020 edition of the US Open held without any spectators. Even the French Open and the 2021 Australian Open saw restrictions on allowing fans into the stadium.
Currently, the Rome Masters is being held without the crowd. However, the fans will be allowed in limited capacity as the tournament progresses. For the upcoming French Open too, we will see fans enjoying and cheering from the stands.
Roland Garros gets government approval to welcome fans
Roland Garros has received tentative guidance from the government of France that it can start with 35 percent of its usual capacity, up to 1,000 spectators per court. The tournament also plans to have night sessions for the first time, but cannot start them during the first week because of the city’s 9 p.m. curfew. But the move to an 11 p.m. curfew during the second week, along with an exception given to the tournament, would potentially allow night sessions from the quarterfinals onwards.
French Open, tournament director Guy Forget explaining the various dynamics of the night session commented, “Players are used to play without spectators. They did it at the US Open and the Australian Open. Pro players have to adapt. Last year Nadal adjusted to the balls, the weather, a late match against Sinner. That will be one of the charms of the night sessions.”
A few weeks ago, we also heard from the Wimbledon authorities that the All England Club would try and welcome 25% capacity crowd for the upcoming Championships. Wimbledon was cancelled in the year 2020, due to the surge in COVID-19 cases in the United Kingdom.
Also read: Nine-time winner, Rafael Nadal looks back on his famous Rome Masters finals win over Federer in 2006
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Vivek Krishnan
(767 Articles Published)