In Paris, Roland-Garros inaugurates a new tennis court with state-of-the-art architecture, surrounded by greenhouses containing plants from around the world. The Simonne Mathieu tennis court is part of a huge renovation project of the stadium, which is home to Paris’ tennis international championships every year.
At Roland-Garros, the dominant color is usually red—as in the clay courts, one of the particularities of Paris’ tennis tournament. Spectators always admire how the greatest champions slide over the ochre dust, leaving behind rust-colored traces when the yellow balls on the edge of the court’s back line.
A metal and glass structure in the heart of a botanical greenhouse.
But for once, with the opening of the new tennis court conceived by Marc Mimram Architecture & Associés, Roland-Garros emphasizes metal, glass—and green, like the vegetation and greenhouses surrounding the new tennis court of the Grand Slam tournament.
As part of its massive renovation, the stadium, which holds Paris’ tennis international championships every year between the end of May and the beginning of June, has been equipped with a brand-new court. Named Simonne Mathieu after a former tennis player, the 10-time singles or doubles winner of the Roland-Garros in the 1930s who also served in WWII in 1940. The name may be gloriously vintage, but the court displays all the attributes of the future in its materials, lines, equipment and environmental approach.
A green path beyond the tournament.
The new structure modernizes and extends the greenhouses of Auteuil built in the 19th century by Jean Camille Formigé, the architect of the promenades and plantations of Paris. Horticultural collections and botanical diversity will be accessible by a large number of visitors throughout the year, without limiting the access of tennis fans during the two-week tournament of Roland-Garros.
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High Performing Sports Equipment in Tune with Nature
"Outside of the tournament period, the new court will be part of a walk through the greenhouses," explains the Mimram Architecture & Associés agency. The new construction allows for "a natural pedestrian path inside the greenhouses and a presentation of the newly created biotopes. (...) On this occasion, a new concept is defined: the high-performance sports facility in relation with nature."
"And they describe a "unique project" that "belongs to the ground in the part of the court engraved at a depth of 4.5 meters", and "to the sky in the glass roof that protects the upper stand". A plant horizon in the heart of the city (Roland-Garros is located in the west of Paris, on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne), to be discovered during the tennis tournament, but not only, the renovations are part of a long-term project that will have the next highlight of the Paris 2024 Olympic Game"
Elevating the Game: Roland-Garros Unveils New Enhancements
Roland-Garros stadium has undergone a modernization and landscaping project while preserving its unique atmosphere. New spaces have been created to provide visitors with more opportunities to relax and move around more easily. These include the Jardin des Mousquetaires, a vast esplanade dedicated to relaxation in the heart of the stadium, and the Allée du Village.
In addition, a new entrance called Porte 1 has been created to improve the reception conditions for visitors. Finally, in terms of infrastructure, two new courts have been built, a retractable roof has been installed on Court Philippe-Chatrier (allowing matches to continue even in bad weather), and a lighting system has been installed on all courts dedicated to matches.
Semi-buried and set between four greenhouse,s containing plants from across the globe, the new court presents itself as a true, one-of-a-kind plant ecosystem. Five thousand spectators will be able to take a seat in this setting illustrating the union between sports and nature at Roland-Garros.
Top-level sports equipment related to nature.
Outside the tournament period, the new tennis court will include the ability to stroll through the greenhouses," explains the Mimram Architecture & Associés agency. The new building allows "pedestrians to move through natural paths inside the greenhouses and observe recently built biotopes...bFor this occasion, a new concept has been defined: top-level sports equipment related to nature. " It can also be described as a " unique project" that "belongs to the earth in that part of the court run aground at 4.5 meters (15 feet) deep," and "to the sky in the glass cover protecting the upper area". A green horizon in the middle of the city (Roland-Garros is located west of Paris, on the edge of Bois de Boulogne). Roland-Garros may be going green, but the clay is red as that of the tricolour.
Roland-Garros, a Setting for the Paris 2024 Games
As part of preparations for the 2024 Olympic Games, the modernization of the Roland-Garros stadium has gained further momentum with the following projects:
- The installation of a retractable roof over Court Suzanne-Lenglen in 2024.
- A renovation project for the Tennis Hall to create an auditorium and a tennis exhibition space.
These transformations will be on display during the tennis and boxing events that will take place at Roland-Garros during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Recommendations and advice:
Headed to Roland-Garros Stadium? Opt for eco-friendly transportation like metro, bus, bike, or Vélib'! Not only will you be kind to the environment and air quality, but you'll also save time with convenient stops near the stadium's entry points. Bon match!
For more information: • Website of Roland Garros stadium • Prepare your trip to Paris
By The editor
The editorial staff of France.fr follows the trends and news of destinations to bring you stories from France that reveal its innovations and traditions that make you long to (re) discover its territories.
