For the first time in 16 years, unrelenting rain on Monday resulted in a complete washout of matches at Roland Garros, the only Grand Slam venue in the world that has no roof. Men’s top seed Novak Djokovic and women’s top seed Serena Williams were among some of the top players who were asked to leave early that day.
On Tuesday too, rain postponed all matches and caused much ire among players, including World no 2. Agnieszka Radwanska who lost to World no 102 Tsvetana Pironkova. “It’s a grand slam. How can you let us play in the rain” she asked in the post-match press conference.
While the French Open is equal to other Grand Slams (the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the U.S.Open) in prize money, it has no roof at all. Australia has three, Wimbledon is working on its second one (the first one even has a twitter account for itself!) and the Arthur Ashe stadium in the U.S will have a retractable roof for the first time ever this August.
After initial reports confirmed that a roof over Roland Garros’ Court Philippe Chatrier would materialise in 2018, tournament director Guy Forget said the earliest date was now pushed to 2020. “In other countries, things are quicker. So it’s a question of time. I think that 2020 is the ultimate date that we have set for ourselves, we hope that everything will be finished.”
The construction of a roof over Roland Garros is part of a renovation project that has been met with stiff opposition from local residents and environmental activists. The project, if it comes through, would mean an expansion of the venue into the nearby Serres d’Auteuil botanical garden, a heritage site which is home to a large variety of tropical and local flowers. France’s council of state - the country’s highest administrative authority - is expected to issue a ruling on the matter in September.
Roland Garros is in itself smaller in terms of area when compared to the other Slams. Two days of continuous rain meant disgruntled fans had no place for shelter when the skies opened up. Most were seen taking refuge in an underground fan hall, while a majority huddled under umbrellas in the empty stadiums waiting for play to begin.
Cancelling of the matches, or any live event for that matter, also means a hard time for TV rights holders who resorted to playing French Open matches from even last year, as news of play suspended scrolled across the screen at the bottom. For fans who love tennis and have waited for a year to watch the clay format, which undoubtedly has its own charm, it meant more waiting and disappointment.
The biggest problem the roof (or the lack of it, thereof) poses is that for the tournament to have its finals over the weekend as planned, most players could be asked to play on consecutive days, and not once in two days, which is the preferred condition. Several players have been placed at a disadvantage because of the constant rain delays and no plan in action to combat them. The men’s 4th round was peppered with mutterings from top seeds – from Andy Murray crying out “You don’t care!” when asked to continue play in the rain, to Djokovic pleading for floodlights after he was forced to complete his third round match against Aljaz Bedene at 9:30 p.m.
Delays in the construction and refurbishment work could also harm Paris' bid to host the 2024 Olympics. Bid officials are planning to use the venue both for the Olympics and Paralympics.
Roger Federer’s absence, Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal..and now the weather. French Open just seems to ride on the general bad year that tennis has had. While a lot rests on the impending decision by the French State Council, for fans and players there is only more waiting. Waiting for a roof and waiting for actual tennis to be played. When that would happen..seems as predictable as the French weather.
(With inputs from AP)
