FRENCH OPEN FEVER

Center court Philippe-Chatrier by Caroline O'Connell

I’m an unabashed tennis fanatic, have been for years.  Took lessons, played with a group of friends that met every weekend, even entered a few doubles tournaments with a girlfriend.  So, watching the Grand Slam tournaments has been a must-do on my calendar.  I’ve always wanted to actually attend one, and being a Francophile, the French Open was high on my list. 

A couple years ago, I was lucky enough to be invited by a friend in Paris who had great tickets that included a gourmet lunch under a tent.  Needless to say, I made sure my travel plans coincided with that date in late May.  Here are notes on what I observed and info on tickets.

Attire
Many French attendees dress elegantly (unlike U.S. tennis-goers who tend to wear shorts and sandals), especially if they’re watching on the main court, Philippe-Chatrier, and have passes for the special dining area.  I splurged on a blue Theory silk/linen pantsuit to wear for the occasion, and it fit right in, although it was very hot that day, so a summer dress might have been more comfortable.  My friend was wearing nice slacks and a sports jacket, as were all the men at our private lunch, where the meal was delicious and the Moët & Chandon champagne flowed. Even though it was very warm under the tent, their jackets stayed on.

Transportation
Roland Garros stadium is adjacent the Bois de Boulogne Park on the western end of Paris.  Our cab took about 25 minutes (in slow traffic from the Champs-Elysées), but you can easily catch the Métro, and a bus takes you the last mile or so. 

What You’ll See
We went at the beginning of Week One, which gives you a chance to see all the players in Early Round matches.  You won’t see the top players facing off, but you get a lot of tennis matches each day, and I was fortunate enough to see Nadal and Federer, in separate matches playing unknown opponents (at least I’d never heard of them).  For many fans, tickets to attend a semi-final or final match are the most sought after, but I think the quarter-finals are very interesting, because you see more top players in competitive matches.

How to Watch  
        If you’re planning ahead (at least a few months), you can order tickets on the tournament website – www.rolandgarros.com.

        Guide2Paris posted good tips on how to buy tickets during the tournament (there is a new “exchange” authorized by the Roland Garros website for people to sell their tickets to people wanting to buy them): http://www.guide2paris.com/news/499/How-to-get-tickets-for-Roland-Garros-in-Paris

        Paris Perfect Apartment Rentals has a great article on “Roland Garros in the City,” another clever idea by the French to showcase their culture.  This time they’ve converted the plaza in front of Hôtel de Ville (their City Hall) into tennis central, complete with a large screen showing live matches and various booths. http://www.parisperfect.com/blog/2012/05/roland-garros-french-open-2012/

        Or, you can do what most of us are doing and watch the matches on TV.  During the week, The Tennis Channel has extensive coverage, and NBC-TV (featuring my favorite tennis commentator John McEnroe) will be broadcasting matches on the weekends.

As I’m enjoying listening to John McEnroe call the play, I will be cheering for Rafael Nadal, my favorite player.  In a Sports Illustrated "French Open Preview" their writers are predicting Rafa will win.  I hope they’re right.  Who are you rooting for? 


For more info on activities in Paris, check out my new book Every Woman's Guide to Romance in Paris, or follow me on Twitter (@ParisRomance) or on Facebook (RomanceInParisGuide).