Court Suzanne Lenglen has recently become the latest addition to the retractable roof stadiums in the world of major tennis. The 10,000-seat stadium, located at the Paris site of Roland Garros, now boasts a retractable roof alongside the larger Court Philippe Chatrier. Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo has described the new roof as the “most visible new feature” of 2024, providing certainty that matches can go ahead even in inclement weather. Designed by architect Dominique Perrault, the roof can close in just 15 minutes and features wings that are 328 feet long and 65 feet wide, combining a flat metallic surface with the curves of the grandstands. The design of the roof pays homage to the player Suzanne Lenglen, after whom the court is named.
Roland Garros has undergone several upgrades in recent years. The Court Philippe Chatrier, with a capacity of 15,000, was rebuilt for the 2019 tournament, and a retractable roof was added in 2020. This roof comprises 11 panels atop 11 trusses spanning 344 feet with a canvas covering. The addition of Court Simonne Mathieu in 2019 provided the site with its third-largest venue and allowed spectators more space. The court’s design, surrounded by greenhouses, takes inspiration from the adjacent Formigé greenhouses and aims to blend into the gardens with its semi-sunken nature.
In 2024, Roland Garros will introduce an extra night session to accommodate the roughly 633,000 spectators who attend the 18 courts and 38,401 seats during the French Open. Along with the new roof at Suzanne Lenglen, the tournament will feature an entrance show on that court, enhanced by new LED panels and an entrance vestibule. Upgrades have also been made to the players’ benches, chairs for umpires and line judges, inspired by the benches found in Parisian parks. The French-made furniture will be extended to all courts on site by 2025. The player space beneath Philippe Chatrier has been redesigned to mimic Parisian apartments, with the four player restaurants offering themed food concepts, such as Asian, Italian, and grill options.
In addition to these updates, Roland Garros has introduced Le Rendez-Vous near a waiting area at Philippe Chatrier, where live musical performances will be hosted, and musical instruments will be provided for players. The Club House, a social meeting place for players and their guests, has been revamped to include a gourmet bistro and table service. A tattoo studio, popular among players, has also been reintroduced due to its previous success. The stadium continues to evolve and enhance the overall experience for players and spectators, with plans for ongoing improvements and developments in the coming years.
