SPORTS
The end of the road is near for the French Open's iconic Court One, with its pending demolition meaning some of the grand slam's spirit will be lost with it, the man who designed it told Reuters on Wednesday.
The end of the road is near for the French Open's iconic Court One, with its pending demolition meaning some of the grand slam's spirit will be lost with it, the man who designed it told Reuters on Wednesday.
The court, known as The Bullring, was built in 1980 and is loved by players and fans alike for its unique design and the way it brings the audience into the game - with fans ducking and fending off serves that have shot into the crowd.
But it is due to fall victim to a Roland Garros renovation project, with its replacement expected to be completed by 2020, according to Paris city officials. An exact demolition date has not yet been set.
"Jim Courier was practicing once on this court and I could hear him hitting the balls from a long distance away and the sound was travelling outside the stadium," architect Jean Lovera told Reuters in an interview.
Courier, twice French Open champion in the early 1990s, has called it his all-time favourite tennis stadium.
"I will personally miss Court One and the memories I keep from those high and low moments spent in that small stadium," he has said. "I never lifted a trophy on that court, but it will remain my favourite tennis court in the world long after it is gone."
It is that atmosphere that will be lost when Court One is torn down and replaced with the "Court des Serres" (Greenhouse Court), flanked with tropical vegetation - and 5,000 seats instead of the current 3,600.
"This is not an ego thing," said Lovera. "This court is something strong for the identity of Roland Garros. It is unique. Players liked it. It is too bad because it is part of the Roland Garros spirit."
Lovera said his love for Roman architecture and arenas inspired him in the design which he says works perfectly for the spectators. Anything bigger in a circle and the fans would be too far away from the action.
"It is the scale of a village with the 3,600 spectators. You know every face there. Also the shape of it amplifies the sound."
Roland Garros lags behind the other three grand slam venues as it has no covered courts, which in turn affects broadcast rights revenues since with a court roof play is guaranteed.
The expanded Roland Garros will be delivered in 2019 with a roof over Centre Court available by 2020.
"The (designs for the) new court look elegant. It fits the place and the gardens. But we lose the proximity and with 5,000 the capacity is not that much bigger. We will lose something."
"It is the Roland Garros feeling. Beautiful battles, a bullring, two bullfighters, gladiators, the warm colour of the sunset and all the faces looking towards the net," Lovera said. "It is a feeling, a sensation of Roland Garros that will be lost."
(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
Happy Valentine's Day 2025: Wishes, WhatsApp messages, images, quotes to share with your partner
DNA TV Show: World Records in Mahakumbh 2025
Vidya Balan enjoys Sanam Teri Kasam in theatre, pens special note for team: 'Mawra aap kamaal ho'
Meet woman who owns Delhi's most expensive home worth Rs..., not Nita Ambani, Priti Adani
Samay Raina to perform in Mumbai on March 27 amid India's Got Latent controversy
Little girl's adorable dance to 'Khadke Glassy' wins hearts online, WATCH viral video
'Whole India in one coach’: Viral video shows chaos in first-class train to Mahakumbh, WATCH
Chhaava Movie Review: A groundbreaking epic that redefines the blockbuster experience
Gautam Adani pulls out of BIG Rs 8684 crore power project in THIS country due to...
Group of musicians perform iconic theme of 'Tom & Jerry' but here's a twist! WATCH viral video
ICC punishes Shaheen Afridi, two Pakistan stars for doing THIS vs South Africa
President's Rule imposed in Manipur days after N Biren Singh resigns as CM
Ramadan 2025: When will the holy month of Muslims begin in India? Know all details
Good news for India's richest banker, RBI lifts ban on his Rs 392000 crore company, allows it to...
WPL 2025 Opening Ceremony: Performers list, date, time, venue, live streaming - All you need to know
Meet man, aka coolest grandpa, who still works as actor and model at 89, he is from...
Meet IAS officer, who cracked UPSC exam in 2009, now promoted to key post in GOI as...
Honda, Nissan call off Rs 521825 crore merger, the reason is…
Valentine's Day 2025: Why do we celebrate this day? Know here
Ne Zha 2: Everything you need to know about the Chinese animated blockbuster
How I Can Make Your Child into an Ivy Leaguer: A Parent’s Guide to Success with Caroline Linger
Meet China’s newest billionaire, who runs bubble tea business, his net worth is Rs...
Top Government Schemes for Farmers, Artisans, and Students You Should Not Miss!
Why did RCB chose Rajat Patidar as captain over Virat Kohli? Team director Mo Bobat explains
Valentine’s Day 2025: Perfect last-minute gifts ideas for your partner
Man who saved Rishabh Pant's life in 2022 car accident, attempts suicide with girlfriend, she dies
FASTag New rule: All you need to know to avoid extra charges from February 17
Throwback: How did Rohit Sharma propose to Ritika Sajdeh? WATCH viral video
Did Ram Charan unfollow Allu Arjun after his father took a dig at Game Changer? Here's what we know
Who Are The Top 5 Most Influential Astrologers In India In 2025?
Delhi-NCR schools holiday: Are Delhi, Gurugram, Noida schools closed on Feb 14? Check here
THESE cricketers unfollowed Ranveer Allahbadia on social media amid India's Got Latent controversy?
‘Broke in 50 days’: Accenture employee-investor loses Rs 8 lakh in a day, his net worth is Rs…
Microsoft inaugurates new campus in THIS Indian city, plans to hire...
Shah Rukh Khan once bought laptop for Aamir Khan but he did not open it for...years because...
New Income Tax Bill 2025: FM Nirmala Sitharaman tables the new income tax bill in Lok Sabha
Emirates flight attendant's BTS video sparks firing rumours, airline responds, see post here
Anupam Mittal asks Namita Thapar to quit Shark Tank India because...: 'If you're...'
Meet comedian who was slapped, kicked out of film set by...; his net worth is now...
Top 3 iconic cricket rivalries
Couple recreates dance with same friend squad for sangeet after 10 years, watch viral video
Meet actor who served during Kargil War, put his career on hold for..., he is...
RCB captain announcement LIVE Updates: Rajat Patidar to lead team in IPL 2025
Ranveer Allahbadia cries in viral video over..., the truth behind it will shock you
Meet actress who is queen of Rs 500 cr club, set to enter again with..., she is...
Rohit Shetty teases 'biggest love story of 2025' feat Ranveer Singh and.., fans react
Hajj 2025: You can't take your children to Hajj this year due to...
Aly Goni supports Samay Raina because..., says he was forced to...
Students' farewell dance on SRK's 'Aankhein Khuli' steals the show, watch viral video
World’s longest railway station has 44 platforms, 67 tracks, has secret platform, located in…
New Income Tax Bill likely to be introduced in parliament today; here's what to expect
Meet IIT-JEE topper with 300 marks in JEE Mains Session 1 Result 2025, advices students not to...
Rozlyn Khan files defamation case against Ankita Lokhande: 'A woman who could use...'
PM Modi US visit: PM Modi arrives at Blair House, greets members of Indian diaspora
Meet son of billionaire whose net worth is Rs 77,280 crore, leads business empire in Australia as...
Happy Kiss Day 2025: Wishes, WhatsApp messages, images, quotes to share with your lover
Why Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of Champions Trophy 2025? Report says Ajit Agarkar...
Meet woman, who studied 17-18 hours daily, cracked UPSC in sixth attempt with AIR..., she is...
DNA TV Show: Delhi Police searches for AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan in threat case
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 warm-up fixtures: Will India play any practice game before mega event?
Meet man, IIT graduate, who once worked at Google, OpenAI, now owns...
BTC X8 Bumex Review 2025: Scam or Legit Trading Platform? Quick facts