How to follow an emotional farewell for the greatest men’s champion the French Open has ever seen?
In the wake of Rafael Nadal’s ceremony last night, the men’s and women’s singles first rounds kick into high gear on day two.
Iga Świątek, Carlos Alcaraz, Naomi Osaka and Jannik Sinner all open their campaigns today.
Those players are on the biggest show courts, Philippe-Chatrier and Suzanne-Lenglen, which means that fans on the field courts of Roland Garros are in for one of the best experiences a Grand Slam can offer: watching a star player in the flesh from a few feet away.
Just a sample: French Open finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas is on Court 6, 2021 U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu is on Court 8, and 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko — who is hoping to set up a fourth-round clash with Świątek, against whom she has never lost — is last on Court 13.
Space is at a premium at Roland Garros, so the outer courts are packed together, offering vantage points from gangways and food concessions as much as the seats.
Ground-pass holders will be in for a treat.
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Rafael Nadal’s French Open ceremony brings Federer, Djokovic and Murray back to Roland Garros
