French Open

Home : Tennis : French Open

Also known as the Tournoi de Roland-Garros (Roland Garros Tournament), it began in 1891 as a national tournament. In 1925, it became the French Championships and was open to international competitors and played on a grass court.

French Open Odds - Click Here

For the 1928 Davis Cup challenge a new stadium was built with red clay courts. Clay surfaces tend to slow the ball down and produce a high bounce when compared to hard courts or grass courts.

In 1968 the French Open became the first Grand Slam tournament to allow both amateurs and professionals to compete. In 2006, it joined the U.S. Open and the French Open as the only major tennis tournaments to offer equal prize money to both the men’s and the women’s singles winners.

Competition is held in men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles.

Spain’s Rafael Nadal defended his 2005 French Open championship by defeating Switzerland’s Roger Federer in the 2006 finals.

Other recent men’s winners include: Gaston Gaudio, 2004; Juan Carlos Ferreo, 2003; Albert Costa, 2002; Gustavo Kuerten, 2001, 2000 and 1997; and Yevgeny Kafelnikov, 1996.

In women’s singles competition, Belgium’s Justine Henin beat Russia’s Svetland Kuznetsova to win the 2006 crown. Henin also won in 2005 and in 2003.

Anastasia Myskina, 2004; Serena Williams, 2002; Jennifer Capriati, 2001; Mary Pierce, 2000; Steffi Graf, 1999, 1996 and 1995; Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, 1998; and Iva Majoli, 1997; are recent women’s champions.

Bjorn Borg has won six men’s titles – 1974, 1975 and 1978-1981. Henri Cochet won four times – 1926, 1928, 1930 and 1932.

Chris Evert leads the women with seven championships. She won in 1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985 and 1986. Graff owns six crowns – 1987, 1988, 1993, 1995, 1996 and 1999.

» Latest French Open Odds: French Open Betting Odds

Latest Tennis Betting Odds Tennis Betting Odds - Available 24/7