Let’s go for the new edition of Roland Garros, this Sunday, May 22. After the qualifications and the drawing of lots for the men’s and women’s draws, it’s time for the first round of the Grand Slam tennis tournament. A return to normal with some new features, after two years disrupted by the health crisis.
The stands are full again
In 2020, the tournament had been postponed for a few months due to the health crisis, and 2021, the qualifications before the official start of the tournament had been played behind closed doors, which was not the case. this week, and gauges had been put in place. “We are going to see all the stands full”, rejoiced Amélie Mauresmo, new director of Roland-Garros, invited on May 12 on France Inter. “All lands should be filled”, she hopes.
The end of endless matches
The four Grand Slam tournaments had decided to harmonize their ways of concluding matches in five sets, all introducing in 2022 the super tie break in the event of a tie at 6-6 in the final set. A novelty implemented at Roland Garros. “Purists may be disappointed, but we are proud to be able to line up with the other three Grand Slams”had commented the director of Roland-Garros, Amélie Mauresmo.
Annex Up Tickets
To avoid these images of empty stands during the lunch break, the tournament management is launching “Annex Up” tickets, dedicated to small posters on the annex courts but now allowing access to the lower stands of the Philippe-Chatrier court, “if the crowd is not there”. “There won’t be any miracles, but we’re putting things in place.” explained Amélie Mauresmo.
The “evening sessions”new for the 2021 edition, will be back for the 2022 edition but without curfew or gauge, unlike last year. They will make it possible to accommodate “140,000 to 150,000 more spectators than a classic pre-covid edition”, for a total of “600,000 spectators” expected. The tournament will be played in a refurbished stadium, with “more space” for the public and the players. “We really want to support their well-being”, explained Amélie Mauresmo.
Who are the seeded ones?
This year, no Habs are among the top seeds. The highest ranked Frenchwoman is Alize Cornet (40th) and the highest ranked Frenchman is Ugo Humbert (45th). The top eight seeds in the men’s draw include Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud. On the women’s side, the first eight seeds are Iga Swiatek, Barbora Krejcikova, Paula Badosa, Maria Sakkari, Anett Kontaveit, Ons Jabeur, Aryna Sabalenka and Karolina Pliskova.