Presentation of the tournament

Roland Garros 2023

Roland Garros is an international tennis tournament that was created to allow foreign players to participate in the French championship. Although it is the most recent of the four Grand Slam tournaments, its history is rich and fascinating. The stadium that hosts this prestigious competition is now an iconic venue for tennis enthusiasts around the world. The greatest names in the sport have played on the clay courts. They have offered memorable matches that have marked the history of world tennis. The Roland Garros tournament is considered one of the most watched sporting events in the world. It takes place during the last week of May and the first week of June. Every year, the best tennis players from all over the world gather in Paris to participate.

The history of the Roland Garros tournament: a century-old tradition

The first clay court tennis championships were held in France in 1891. Only French players participated and the competitions were held in various venues such as the Racing Club de France, the Parc de Saint-Cloud and the Stade Français. André Vacherot won the first edition of the tournament.

In 1925, the competitions were renamed "Internationaux de France", as foreign players began to participate. Over the years, French players have distinguished themselves by winning most of the titles. This is the case of Suzanne Lenglen and the Four Musketeers (René Lacoste, Jacques Brugnon, Henri Cochet and Jean-Jacques Borotra).

In 1928, the French Tennis Federation had to build modern infrastructures to host the Davis Cup. The famous Roland Garros stadium is one of them. The name was chosen in honor of the French aviation hero Roland Garros, who fell in battle during the First World War. Since then, the best tennis players in the world meet on this clay court.

Because of the Second World War, the tournament was interrupted for six years before resuming in 1946. During the years 1965/1970, some of the top players left the French Open to participate in better paid exhibition matches. However, in 1973, all the great champions as well as many renowned players returned to Roland Garros.

A project to modernize the tournament's infrastructure is currently under discussion, including the addition of a removable roof. Nevertheless, Roland Garros remains one of the most prestigious events in tennis. Every year, it attracts millions of fans from all over the world to watch the games of top players.

A clay surface that divides players' opinions

The Roland Garros tournament is a must-see event for tennis fans and tennis stars around the world. However, the players' opinions are divided about the specificity of the clay surface at Roland Garros. Some consider it to be so advantageous in so many ways that they have become true specialists. Others, however, find it less enjoyable because of its unstable footing. The clay surface allows players to slide to reach balls that would be inaccessible on other surfaces.

Rafael Nadal and Björn Borg: two legendary tennis players on clay

Rafael Nadal Parera, Spanish tennis player, is considered an unrivaled expert on clay. His numbers and record of achievements impress the experts who call him one of the greatest players of all time. Nadal has won numerous world titles, including 13 titles at Roland Garros. He has only lost three times on this surface.

Another tennis player, equally respected, has particularly distinguished himself for his performance on clay at Roland Garros. He is Björn Borg, a Swedish tennis player born in 1956. His remarkable career is still considered an example for many professional players today. At Roland Garros, he won six titles. His record of three Roland Garros-Wimbledon doubles in a single season made world tennis history.

Who is eligible to participate in the French Open?

To enter the main draw at Roland Garros, players must be ranked in the top 100 in the world. Those ranked higher than that must go through the qualifying round, where 128 players compete for 16 spots. Participants are ranked between 100th and 240th, with the exception of nine male and nine female players who are granted wild-cards. For your information, wild-cards are invitations offered by the Roland Garros tournament management. Some invitations allow direct access to the main draw, while others require a passage through the qualifications.

The organization of the Roland Garros tournament: a flourishing business

Since 2016, Guy Forget, a former French tennis player, has been at the helm of the French Open tournament organization. This thriving business generates a turnover of around 200 million euros. It manages all aspects of the tournament, from match planning to television broadcasting in more than 230 countries.

Each year, the tournament attracts more than 460 million television viewers worldwide. Matches are played on 24 Roland Garros courts under the watchful eye of 300 experienced referees. To help players focus on their game, nearly 260 ball boys are on hand to retrieve balls and put them back into play.

As for the security on the tournament site, about 800 agents are mobilized, including bodyguards who accompany the players in their movements on and off the courts. The French Open is also a great economic opportunity for the city of Paris. Hotels, restaurants, stores and other businesses in the city benefit from the influx of tourists who come to watch the tournament.

How to make a success of your bets on Roland-Garros?

First, consider the specifics of the playing surface. The clay court at Roland Garros is considered slow. It favors higher ball bounces and more consistent spin. Players who excel in wide defensive coverage perform best on this surface. Be sure to check out the recent tournament history to see which tennis players are most comfortable on clay.

Also check the statistics available on the sports betting sites. Check the ATP/WTA rankings, the history of matches, the last results of the players and the number of sets already played. These data will help you to have more certainty for your tennis predictions to bet serenely on the casino Stake partner

Prediction for Roland Garros 2023: who will be the winners?

Roland Garros 2023 is fast approaching. Tennis fans are eager to discover the successor to Rafael Nadal, winner of the 2022 edition of the tournament. Although he is rated at 4.50 this year, the Spaniard is determined to win another title despite his injury at the Australian Open. But Novak Djokovic, rated at 2.60, is standing in his way.

Bettors should also pay attention to the "new generation" of players, like Carlos Alcaraz. Although he had to withdraw from the Australian Open, he is considered a strong favorite for the final victory with odds of 3.20. Stefanos Tsitsipas, thanks to his powerful game and determination, is a serious candidate for the crown, with odds of 10.00. Other players to watch include Holger Rune, as well as the Americans Fritz and Korda.

In the women's game, the world number 1, who won the 2022 edition of the tournament, is the big favorite with odds of 1.90 for Roland Garros 2023. Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia, who won the Masters in 2022, is also highly anticipated, with odds of 17.00. Other players to watch are Australian Ashleigh Barty, Canadian Bianca Andreescu and Japanese Naomi Osaka.