The Roland-Garros tournament will take place this year from May 22 to June 11. Amélie Mauresmo, the tournament director, unveiled the new features for 2023, which revolve around several themes: inclusion, solidarity, preservation of the environment and the mental well-being of players.
Sustainable mobility and responsible food : Two guarded bicycle parking lots have been set up to encourage spectators to go to the Roland-Garros stadium by bicycle or scooter. The official fleet of vehicles made available by Renault is made up of 76% hybrid or electric vehicles. In partnership with Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s GoodPlanet Foundation, the FFT is working with the tournament restaurants and caterers on a sustainable food plan, aiming to offer all tournament audiences responsible products: labeled, seasonal, from short circuits, etc.
Fight against waste with the association le Chaînon Manquant and renewable energies : This scheme, which has been in existence since 2014, collected the equivalent of 5,133 meals last year. The meals collected are redistributed daily to people in precarious situations. In addition, the electricity supply contract with Engie is of 100% renewable origin. The FFT is working with Engie on the development of photovoltaic panels on the stadium. The project to cover a modular building in the TV area was launched this year. Ultimately, the ambition is to deploy self-consumption in the stadium.
Ecological fresco of tennis : playful and educational stand developed by the FFT which raises awareness among all stadium visitors of the major environmental issues, while providing concrete solutions, to which participants are invited to commit.
Celebrating World Environment Day on June 5 : communication around sustainable development is strengthened. A digital game, organized in the aisles of the stadium, allows participants, following a draw, to win two places for the Roland-Garros 2024 final of their choice.
Yannick Noah Day on May 27 : the traditional charity day at Roland-Garros becomes Yannick Noah Day on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his victory. During this day, Yannick Noah will be celebrated on the Philippe-Chatrier court. Animations are also on the program, both on the courts and in the aisles… As every year, the profits from this day are donated to the Fête le Mur association and also make it possible to finance actions initiated by FFT affiliated clubs for neighborhood youth, for adapted sport tennis, healthy tennis, paratennis but also in favor of the environment via the Trophies for Solidarity and Environmental Actions.
Donations of sports equipment : Players are invited to donate their sports equipment to people who are unable to practice sports, via terminals installed in the changing rooms. Collection is carried out by Emmaüs Solidarité at the end of the tournament. This initiative is also offered to ball boys.
The Sound for All immersive sound experience device is offered for the first time. Available via the Roland-Garros application, this digital radio will broadcast ambient sound from the court as well as detailed match commentary. The organization of the tournament also sets up a quiet zone, a space allowing all those who wish to do so to isolate themselves for a few moments from the stadium crowd.
Wheelchair Day on June 9 : The FFT offers, in partnership with The Adecco Group, the “All in a wheelchair” operation, an activity to discover and promote wheelchair tennis to the general public. Spectators are invited to hit the ball in a sports chair on Friday June 9 from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on court n°9.
Better exposure of wheelchair tennis events : The table for the wheelchair tennis event, scheduled from June 6 to 10, has been extended this year. 16 players and 16 players will participate in this tournament (against 12 last year). The wheelchair tennis events also benefit from a beautiful exhibition. Indeed, one of the finals will take place on the Philippe-Chatrier court and will be broadcast live on France Télévisions.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Tennis Demonstration Matches : On June 10, from 11 a.m., three exhibition tennis matches for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing will be played on court no. 11. The winner of the Australian Open Deaf and Hard of Hearing tournament, Gabor Mathé will be present, accompanied by his coach, Andrea Temesvari (victorious double ladies at Roland-Garros in 1986, alongside Martina Navratilova). The opportunity to promote a developing discipline.
The mental well-being of the players is a real challenge for the organization of the tournament. Athletes encountering psychological difficulties will be supported, with the help of a team of specialists and ambassadors such as Amélie Mauresmo or the Player Relations team. Numerous “well-being” services are also offered, with the presence of a beautician, a hairdresser, a barber and even… a tattoo artist, for the very first time at Roland-Garros! Yoga and sophrology classes are also organized for players and their entourage.
Fight against cyber-harassment : the FFT is stepping up its fight against cyber-harassment by relying on “Bodyguard” technology, which moderates content on social networks. By connecting to this system, players are thus protected from all types of harassment (discrimination, insults, mockery, violence) and can interact with their fans in complete safety.
Title photo credit: Amérie Laurin / FFT
2nd photo credit: Clément Mahoudeau / FFT
