Roland Garros 2017

A tennis lover’s week is upon us. The event is the second week at the French Open. The French Open is by far the biggest clay court tennis tournament in the world. The tournament is named after the French aviator Roland Garros. It is one of the 4 Grand Slams; the other three Grand Slams are the Australian Open in January, Wimbledon in June/July and the US Open in August/September.

In 2017 the tournament is played from May 22nd. – June 11th.

  • Tell me some history stuff

The very first French National Tennis Championship was held in 1891. The very first ladies Tournament was introduced at 1897. The French Championships become international in 1925 and was played at the Stade de Roland-Garros.

  • Who was Roland Garros?

Roland Garros AviatorRoland Garros was a pioneer French aviator. He is famous for completing the first solo flight across the Mediterranean Sea on September 23, 1913. He is also an engineer and the inventor of the first forward-firing aircraft machine gun. Roland Garros was the first pilot to shoot down five enemy aircraft, and to be called an “ace” for doing so. Sadly he was killed in aerial combat in 1918, five days before the war ended.

  • How are Musketeers involved?

Roland Garros TrophyWell, the name of the trophy given to the Men’s Singles champion is called The Musketeers’ Trophy or La Coupe des Mousquetaires (in French). The latest version of the trophy was created in 1981. It is symbolises the victories of four famous French tennis players, who together make up the “Four Musketeers”: Jacques Brugnon, Jean Borotra, Henri Cochet and René Lacoste.

  • Fun Fact

The trophy is housed in the office of the president of the French Tennis Federation and is only removed once every year when the Men’s Singles winner at the French open is announced. The winner does not get to keep the actual trophy! What? The winner gets a replica, which is slightly smaller than the original. The replica is also made of silver and takes over one hundred hours to produce. The trophy weighs around 14 kg (30 lbs) and is 21 cm (8 in) high.

  • Fun Story

Teo Llodra Roland Garros 2013Michael Llodra’s youngest son, Teo helps his dad by carrying his tennis bag. As he walks out, the autograph hunters get his autograph too. How cool is that!

 

 

Australian Open Logo by KN

Read our story about the 1st Grand Slam of the year – The Australian Open

 

To visit the Official site of the Tournament, click the poster below:

 

 

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