City Tennis Takes Over Iconic Parisian Pool Ahead of French Open

Paris is about to get a whole lot more interesting for tennis fans. from May 15 to June 15, 2025, City Tennis will transform the legendary Molitor Swimming Pool in Paris’s 16th arrondissement into a vibrant hub where sport meets urban art, just in time for the French Open. This free exhibition promises a unique experience, blending the thrill of tennis with the creativity of street art.

Imagine this: stepping into the iconic Molitor Swimming Pool, not for a swim, but to witness a fusion of tennis and urban art. City Tennis, in collaboration with the French Tennis Federation (FFT), is bringing this vision to life. Ten artists will transform the space, creating an immersive surroundings inspired by the spirit of tennis. Think of it as the art world’s answer to the MLB’s Field of Dreams, but with a distinctly Parisian flair.

Each artist will contribute original works reflecting the rules, emotions, and values inherent in tennis. but the centerpiece? A real City Tennis court, designed by the renowned Sitou Matt. Matt, known for his immersive and dedicated creations, will craft a court that’s both a functional sports space and a living work of art. It’s about taking tennis out of the traditional court and bringing it to the people, says a representative from City Tennis. This echoes the sentiment of initiatives like the NBA’s community court projects, which aim to make basketball accessible in urban areas.

The exhibition in the lobby will be free and open to the public from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., while access to the court will be reserved for hotel guests. This raises an interesting question: will this exclusivity limit the reach of city Tennis’s mission to democratize the sport? It’s a point worth considering as the event unfolds.

What Exactly is City Tennis?

City Tennis is a simplified, accessible version of tennis. All you need is a portable net and a ball. Forget meticulously maintained courts; City Tennis can be played virtually anywhere – on the street, in a park, or even a parking lot. The beauty of City Tennis is it’s simplicity, explains a City Tennis enthusiast. You don’t need a fancy court or expensive equipment. Just grab a ball and a racket, and you’re good to go. You can even use your feet, adding a soccer-like element to the game.This echoes the rise of sports like pickleball,which have gained popularity due to their accessibility and ease of learning.

This “urbanization of the sport” aims to break down barriers and make tennis more accessible to everyone. It’s a direct response to the perception of tennis as an exclusive, country club sport. By removing the need for specialized infrastructure, City Tennis hopes to introduce the game to a wider audience, particularly in urban environments. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles in communities across the globe.

While the concept is intriguing, some might argue that City Tennis dilutes the essence of the sport. Traditionalists may criticize the lack of formal rules and regulations. However, proponents argue that the focus is on fun, accessibility, and introducing new players to the game. It’s a gateway, not a replacement, for traditional tennis.

The City Tennis event at the Molitor Swimming Pool promises to be a unique and engaging experience. It’s a bold experiment that challenges the traditional perception of tennis and explores the intersection of sport and art. Whether it will successfully democratize the sport remains to be seen, but it’s certainly a conversation starter. This event could serve as a model for similar initiatives in other sports, bringing them to unconventional spaces and making them more accessible to the public. What other sports could benefit from a similar “urbanization” strategy? Perhaps we’ll see “City Golf” pop up in urban parks or “Street Hockey” taking over parking lots in the near future.