Roland Garros records: from the beginning to Nadal and Federer

The organization of the Roland Garros 2020 has long been troubled because of the global Covid-19 pandemic that has plagued the world, and France severely, also in these days of September, with many infections. This year between safety protocols and very important absences, such as that of Roger Federer the Parisian Slam will experience one of the most atypical seasons of its long history: for the first time it will be played not in lat spring but at the gates of autumn.

And talking about history, records, Rafael Nadal is the most successful player in men's singles, with 11 titles. In women's singles, the record holder is Chris Evert, with 7 titles. Nadal also holds the record of titles won consecutively in men's singles (5, from 2010 to 2014). Suzanne Lenglen holds the record for consecutive titles won in the women's singles (4, from 1920 to 1923).

Max Décugis holds the record of men's doubles titles (14, from 1902 to 1914 and in 1920), while Martina Navratilova holds the record for women's doubles titles (7, 1975, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988). Max Décugis also holds the record of titles won in mixed doubles (7, 1904-1906, 1908-1909, 1914, 1920), the same record number as Suzanne Lenglen (1914, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1925, 1926) . Décugis and Lenglen won the mixed doubles together of 1920.

Monica Seles is, with 16 years and 6 months the youngest tennis player to win the title, in 1990. Andrés Gimeno, with 34 years and 10 months, is the oldest player to have won the French Open, in 1972. The longest match in the history of the tournament dates back to 2004; the French derby between Fabrice Santoro and Arnaud Clément lasted 6 hours and 33 minutes! Finally, after years of waiting, a retractable roof will be built on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Roland Garros records and curiosity

The Parisian tournament takes place in a facility dedicated to the memory of the French pilot and aviator Roland Garros, the national hero of the First World War. He was the first pilot to fly over the Mediterranean Sea and first to install a front machine gun on planes, to be able to both pilots and shoot at the same time.

Like all other tournaments, trophies are awarded to the winners of the men's and women's singles. For men, the trophy is the Coupe des Mousquetaires, named to honor the memory of René Lacoste, Jacquet Brugnon, Jean Borotra and Henri Cochet. For women, the trophy is the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen, named to honor the legendary Divine of French tennis, as well as the second court of Bois de Boulogne, where the women's singles final is usually played, named Court Suzanne Lenglen.

Serena Williams' famous catsuit, worn by the US in 2018, is probably one of the most original and extravagant outfits in the history of the tournament, along with Stan Wawrinka's outfit of 2015. We don't forget also the elegant outfits of the 20s and 30s. The tournament is the only Slam that is played on clay court. Roger Federer got the Career Grand Slam by winning the Roland Garros 2009, beating Robin Soderling in the final.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2G07fa1