French Open facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Roland Garros 02
An outdoor court

The French Open is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments. It is played in Paris, France. The first competition was held in 1891.

The French Open is known for being the only Grand Slam played on a clay court. On a clay court the ball bounces much slower and higher than on hard or grass courts. This makes it more difficult to win the point and rallies (the number of shots in a point) usually last longer. Players that excel on clay courts are called clay-court specialists.

The tournament is played for two weeks. It starts in late May and finishes in early June.

Sometimes, the French Open is called the Roland Garros tournament. Roland Garros was a well-known aviator from World War I who had the main tennis court named after him.

The singles winners in 2016 were Novak Djokovic and Garbiñe Muguruza. The singles winners in 2015 were Stan Wawrinka and Serena Williams.

Records

  • Men - Rafael Nadal has won 9 times: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.
  • Women - Chris Evert won 7 times: 1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, and 1986.

Images for kids

  • Roland Garros 08

    Court number 2 at the French Open.

  • Djokovic RG15 (1) (19121926889)

    Novak Djokovic was the winner of the Men's Singles in 2016. It was his twelfth Grand Slam singles title and his first at Roland Garros. This completed his Career Grand Slam in men's singles.

  • Garbiñe Muguruza Roland Garros 2016

    Garbiñe Muguruza was the winner of the Women's Singles in 2016. It was her first Grand Slam title.

  • Feliciano López 1, Aegon Championships, London, UK - Diliff

    Feliciano López was part of the winning Men's Doubles team in 2016. It was his first Grand Slam title.

  • Flickr - Carine06 - Marc Lopez

    Marc López was part of the winning Men's Doubles team in 2016. It was his first Grand Slam title.

  • Caroline Garcia (18594151091)

    Caroline Garcia was part of the winning Women's Doubles team in 2016. It was her first Grand Slam women's doubles title and the first time a French team had won the women's doubles at the French Open since 1971.

  • Kristina Mladenovic (25702167751)

    Kristina Mladenovic was part of the winning Women's Doubles team in 2016. It was her first Grand Slam women's doubles title and the first time a French team had won the women's doubles at the French Open since 1971.

  • Hingis RG16 (10) (27331857371)

    Martina Hingis was part of the winning Mixed Doubles team in 2016. This completed her Career Grand Slam in mixed doubles.

  • Paes WM13-009 (9495560679)

    Leander Paes was part of the winning Mixed Doubles team in 2016. This completed his Career Grand Slam in mixed doubles.


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