French Open could move out of Paris!

[Augustus]

(Reuters) - The French Open could move out of Paris in the next few years because of infrastructure problems, the grand slam's tennis tournament director said on Monday.


Organizers have been considering for years how to extend the current Roland Garros stadium, located on the leafy western edge of the French capital.

The projects, including the construction of a roof-covered court to avoid rain delays to the springtime claycourt tournament, have stalled, however, because of opposition, notably from the public and environmentalists.

"Over the last 10 years, the three other grand slam tournaments have progressed, notably in terms of infrastructure, but we haven't," tournament director Gilbert Ysern told reporters, referring to the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.

"Roland Garros cannot stay the way it is," he added. "We have two options. One is to make it bigger, the other is to move out."

While the various extension plans are not shelved yet, Organizers are now considering four possible new locations in the Paris suburbs, all over 15 kms away from the capital.

"We have four very serious projects," Ysern said. "It would be heartbreaking to leave Paris but we have to consider it."

A final decision on whether the tournament will remain in Paris is expected during a general assembly of the French Tennis Federation (FFT) scheduled for February next year.

This year's French Open runs from May 24 to June 6.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62L2U420100322?type=sportsNews

 

[Shaolin]

I never see anyone in the stands. Why make it bigger?

What they need are some ***** lights so they can play night matches.

 

[Semi-Pro]

I think I remember hearing a couple months ago that they were build a new stadium? I might be wrong though.

 

[Bloodshed]

You can bet that Nadal is praying that RG gets moved elsewhere after his ovation he got after he lost to Söderling last year :twisted::twisted::twisted::twisted:

 

[TMF]

You can bet that Nadal is praying that RG gets moved elsewhere after his ovation he got after he lost to Söderling last year :twisted::twisted::twisted::twisted:

But it’s still in France. Who knows. It could be worse than Paris.

 

[VGP]

It does make sense, although it would be a shame were it to move since Roland Garros still takes place at its original site. The history of that location is very rich.

Seems that the tournament would be hard pressed to grow at its current location (shown below).

The article I read mentioned that a proposed location is next to Chateau de Versaille. By looking at Google maps, there is a nice large plot of land next to the castle that could be used for a future site of the French Open.

- pictures taken at same scale.....

(photos from Google Maps)

 

[rovex]

Well, the FO is located pretty far out in Paris. Took me ages to get there when i went for the first time from where i was based right in the centre.

 

[GrassCourtFan]

I feel that there's at least a 50% chance that this is a bluff designed to get the local authorities in Paris to agree to the French Open's demands for (building permits, more land, whatnot.)

 

[Tshooter]

"I never see anyone in the stands. Why make it bigger?"

Because you can't judge the crowds at a tennis tournament by looking at the stands during early round matches. People are all over the place.

RG is the most crowded of the GS events for the reasons complained about above. The physical infrastructure has not kept up with the growth in the tournaments popularity.

If I knew how to post a photo here, I'd show you how crowded it gets.

 

[Lsmkenpo]

They won't move anywhere, this is just a threat to get what they want, see it all the time in other sports when they want a new stadium.

 

[Spider]

Hopefully it gets moved to the UK, how awesome would it be with two slams!

 

[aldeayeah]

The article I read mentioned that a proposed location is next to Chateau de Versaille. By looking at Google maps, there is a nice large plot of land next to the castle that could be used for a future site of the French Open.

I hope you're kidding.

 

[malakas]

all these years the same talk.

 

[malakas]

I feel that there's at least a 50% chance that this is a bluff designed to get the local authorities in Paris to agree to the French Open's demands for (building permits, more land, whatnot.)

lol certainly not.This is an old discussion,and still after all this time they haven't even narrowed down the locations to one place.

 

[GasquetGOAT]

They should move it to Madrid or Basel, just throwing some ideas...

 

[Boozyuzi]

Have that not allready comitted to a new show court with a sliding roof that is supposed to be ready in the next couple of years ? Think it is supposed to be across the road from the existing site.

 

[Jchurch]

Move it to Germany.

 

[VGP]

I hope you're kidding.

It's not me who's kidding. I'm sure they're not going to touch the grounds nearest to Versailles. It's one of the proposals in this article. When they say

Provided the French federation assembly gives the go ahead in February 2011, the French Open could move next to the Versailles castle as it has a good transportation network.

Seems like a good place would be the "triangular" area that's north-northeast of the castle grounds. To the south-southeast athletic facilities already exist.

Another proposal is near Disneyland Paris.....