Every year, it’s the same story… unfortunately if the viewers are numerous during the famous international tennis tournament of Roland-Garros, on the spot, the bleachers seem more and more deserted. And the peak of absenteeism seemed to be reached this Friday, June 9, 2023 as the second men’s semi-final took place, between the Norwegian Casper Ruud and the German Alexander Zverev. The center court was almost completely empty! A shame for the journalist Laurent Luyat who could not help but rant live on France 3, marking his great incomprehension: “I’m always a little surprised because the stadium isn’t full. Yet people bought tickets for this match, so that means they have a ticket but they are not coming…“, he affirmed with the support of his Belgian colleague Justine Henin, former tennis champion and consultant for France Télévisions, who adds that indeed the court is even “far from full“. Truly disappointed, the sports commentator bids: “Yes, far from being full… because the spectators bought a ticket only for this match, we remember it. It’s not for the two semi-finals but just for this semi-final so it is quite surprising. Yesterday, for the women’s semi-finals, it was the same thing. There were many many free places. I can’t understand the principle of having a ticket and not coming to see the match“, he apologized in full live.
“I can’t understand the principle of having a ticket and not coming to see the match. » Totally agree with @LLuyat and with the team of @francetvsport ! #Roland Garrospic.twitter.com/3uMOXCyfg8
— Alexandre Quiec (@AlexQuiec) June 9, 2023
“I have lots of friends who wanted to buy some. Impossible to find in ticket”
Also present to comment on this semi-final, Patrick Mouratoglou joined the debate, adding that it was all the more incomprehensible as it was very difficult to find tickets to attend the tournament: “It is true that it is incomprehensible. It’s even more surprising because I know how difficult it is to buy a ticket to Roland-Garros. I have lots of friends who wanted to buy some. Impossible to find in ticket. That these people who do not come do something with their ticket“, he let go. To which Justine Hénin replied: “Some people dream of it”. In the end, it was the Norwegian Casper Ruud who finally won his semi-final hands down, in three winning sets. And who must face this Sunday, June 10, the legend Novak Djokovic and his 22 Grand Slam titles.
VF