Thunderclap at Porte d’Auteuil. On the evening of June 3, 2021, after only five days of the tournament, in Paris, there were no more French people left on the clay court of Roland-Garros. This is the first time since the start of the Open era, in 1968, that no French player has qualified for the third round.
However, there were 18 men and 11 players on the starting line. While the experts dissect the reasons for the sinking, another historic event is playing out among the juniors: the four semi-finalists are French. Never seen. And it was Luca Van Assche who won against Arthur Fils. The generation born in 2003-2004 is making a remarkable entrance into the arena, for those who are willing to watch it.
