Roland-Garros set to debut second retractable roof

The second retractable roof at Roland-Garros will be inaugurated on the opening day of the French Open next month. Organizers gave the update today regarding the project, which was also "planned with the Paris Olympics in mind." A ceremony for the roof over the 10,000-seat Suzanne Lenglen court will be held on May 26 "when play starts in the main draws," according to French Open Tournament Dir Amelie Mauresmo. Even before the inauguration, the roof "can be closed if rain comes" during qualifying rounds on the six previous days. Mauresmo "praised the new roof as giving more flexibility in scheduling matches and ensuring play" for 25,000 fans on the grounds and TV viewers worldwide. The tournament is sold out for the first week with daily crowds of 75,000 expected, and about 650,000 across the three weeks including qualifying. The main 15,000-seat Philippe Chatrier court has had a retractable roof since 2020 (AP, 4/25).