As the second biggest Grand Slam of the year, the annual French Open Tennis Championship is one of only four Grand Slams in the tennis calendar with Wimbledon, the Australian Open and the US Open forming the remaining three. Home to the most challenging clay surface courts on the planet, the yearly event at Roland Garros is believed to be the toughest clay court competition in the world.
Known locally as the Les Internationaux de France de Roland Garros, the French Open is also called Tournoi de Roland-Garros or simply Roland Garros by the tennis loving population. As a tournament with a rich history that dates back to its first championship in 1891, the French Open has grown in scale and significance to become one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year, drawing the crme de la crme of the worlds tennis greats to its courts each time. As one of the most physically grueling championships in the globe, the French Opens slow surfaces have traditionally posed a challenge to serve based tennis players, who are more accustomed to the velocity of grass courts. Another challenge is the French Opens five-set singles matches for men, which tests the endurance of a player on an extended play time period.
The premier week of the tournament is mainly devoted to singles matches, while mixed double matches, draw doubles and junior/senior matches take centre stage as the event progresses. The top player who will be vying for the prize this year will be the reigning champion Rafael Nadal, who won his 6th French Open title last year. Arch rival Roger Federer is also set to pose a threat to Nadal in addition to seasonal hot pick Novak Djokovic, who has exhibited tremendous form and skill this season. The womens title was secured by Francesca Schiavone in 2010, although experts predict that this years contest may crown Belgian heavyweight Kim Clijsters with top honours.
Tennis fans at the French Open can also look forward to mingling with the top seeds and clamouring for autographs as the famed Practice Courts at Roland Garros guarantee personal encounters with the tennis personalities. Equipped with food courts and souvenir stalls, the Practice Courts are the preferred haunts of seasoned visitors in addition to the Place des Mousquetaires located between Center Court Philippe Chatrier and Court 1, where fans gather to catch the action on the main show courts on giant screens.
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