Court Philippe Chatrier is scheduled to have a retractable roof in time for the 2020 French Open.GETTY IMAGES
Legal challenges "have pushed the promised overhaul of Roland Garros back" to '20 but with construction "finally well underway," this year's French Open is poised to offer fans a "nouvelSle" experience, according to Julien Pretot of REUTERS. A stroll down the alleys of the venue reveals "how far work has progressed," with the expansion "continuing apace" days before the tournament starts. Court Two is gone, "enabling the modernization of neighboring Philippe Chatrier, the Center Court, which barring further delays will sport a new retractable roof two years from now." After this year's tournament, which runs from May 27-June 10, 80% of Philippe Chatrier will be "destroyed." Gille Jourdan, the director of the expansion project, said, "It is one of our biggest challenges. The stands of the Center Court will be destroyed so they can be rebuilt next spring and be ready for 2019." A "little further on," work on Court Simonne Mathieu is "almost complete." The arena will replace Court One, the stadium's third-largest court, which is "affectionately known" as the "Bullring" because of its shape and atmosphere. The Bullring's 5,000-seat replacement will be "nestled among the area's graceful" 19th-century greenhouses, and will be ready in time for the '20 tournament (REUTERS, 5/21).
