French Open 2023 is in JEOPARDY as protesters threaten to ‘BLACKOUT’ Roland Garros over pension reforms

French Open may be difficult to organize this year with protests raging in France.

French Open 2023 is in JEOPARDY as protesters threaten to ‘BLACKOUT’ Roland Garros over pension reforms

French protesters can impede proceedings of Roland Garros 2023 (Image Credit: FirstSportz)

The City of Love is burning with outrage from the protesters across France, angry over pension reforms. The new pension reforms proposed by the French President Emmanuel Macron seek to increase the age of retirement from 62 to 64 years across the country.

The repercussions of this protest are now being felt across the sporting world. The CGT Union which is the second-largest trade union in France is demanding the resignation of the French President. Also, the protesters are threatening to disturb energy supplies thus, jeopardizing the organization of important sports events such as the French Open and the Monaco Grand Prix both scheduled to start in the last week of May.

YouTube video

“Our debates bring out offensive, firm and unanimous positions. In May, do what you like! The Cannes film festival, the Monaco Grand Prix, the Roland-Garros tournament, the Avignon festival could end up in the dark! We won’t give up!” the trade union reported to have stated.

FS Video

May 1 is celebrated as Labor Day across the world and huge protests are being planned to mark the occasion. “All unions call on the president of the republic to be wise <…> understand what is going on in the country and not to endorse the legislation. If he recalls it, we will have a dialogue with him with great pleasure,” the Secretary-General of the CGT Union said.

Keep Exploring: Novak Djokovic’s injury woes worsen as he withdraws from Madrid Masters

Dark Clouds loom over French Open 2023

French protesting over newly-introduced pension reforms threaten Roland Garros 2023 (Image Credit: FirstSportz)
French protesting over newly-introduced pension reforms threaten Roland Garros 2023 (Image Credit: FirstSportz)

The French Open is the marque event in the tennis calendar. It is the second Grand Slam of the season and the only Major to be played on clay. However, this event is also vulnerable to protesters storming into the courts and can cause a threat to the players.

Last year, a climate protestor came onto the court mid-match. This incident occurred during the semi-final round of the French Open 2022 between Casper Ruud and Marin Cilic. Casper Ruud was about to serve when a climate protestor tied herself to the net. She was wearing a white T-shirt with the message printed on it: “WE HAVE 1028 DAYS LEFT”.

The players were asked to leave the court while the security officials cleared the situation. The match was suspended for some time. In the match, Casper Ruud defeated Marin Cilic 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 to storm into the final. However, he lost to Rafael Nadal in the final.

However, this time, the protests have been quite violent. It can threaten the security and safety of the players and audience. It is hoped that some kind of agreement will be formed with the protesters by the time the competition begins in May and that Roland Garros 2023 will be played out smoothly.

In case you missed it: