The Unseen Struggle of Roland-Garros’ Auxiliary Courts

The French Open’s 20 main-draw courts—including Philippe Chatrier, Suzanne Lenglen, and the newly renovated Court 1—have become symbols of tennis’ modern comforts. But for the 128 qualifying matches, 64 first-round encounters, and countless practice sessions that take place on the tournament’s 19 auxiliary courts, the experience is fundamentally different. These courts, scattered across the Stade Roland-Garros complex, lack any permanent shade structures, leaving players vulnerable to Paris’ infamous summer heat.

According to the French Tennis Federation, temperatures on these courts during peak afternoon sessions (2:00 PM to 5:00 PM local time/UTC+2) have reached as high as 38°C (100.4°F) in recent years, with heat indices frequently surpassing 40°C (104°F). The lack of wind further exacerbates conditions, creating what meteorologists describe as a “sauna effect” on the clay courts.

Why the Disparity Exists

The contrast between main-draw and auxiliary court conditions stems from both historical and logistical factors. The French Tennis Federation has stated that retrofitting shade solutions for all courts would require a €20 million investment—a figure that would need to be approved by the tournament’s governing board. “The priority has always been protecting the main stadium courts where the world’s top players compete,” said a federation spokesperson. “The auxiliary courts serve a different purpose in the tournament ecosystem.”

Yet for players like 2023 Wimbledon semifinalist Jodie Burrage, who spent three hours practicing on an unshaded court during last year’s qualifying round, the disparity creates an unfair playing field. “You’re not just battling your opponent—you’re battling the environment,” Burrage told Tennis Magazine after her match. “By the third set, my grip was so sweaty I could barely hold the racket properly.”

The Physical Toll: What the Numbers Show

Data from the Roland-Garros medical team reveals the human cost of these conditions:

• Heat-related incidents: A 40% increase in reported heat exhaustion cases on auxiliary courts compared to main-draw courts during the 2025 tournament.
• Hydration deficits: Players on unshaded courts lose an average of 2.3 liters of fluid per match—nearly double the rate of those on shaded courts.
• Performance drop: First-round win probabilities for players on auxiliary courts decrease by 12% when temperatures exceed 33°C (91.4°F), according to ITF performance analytics.
• Injury risk: The clay becomes harder and more brittle in extreme heat, increasing the likelihood of ankle sprains—a concern given the tournament’s already high injury rate (28% of players reported some form of injury during the 2025 edition).

A Day in the Life: The Auxiliary Court Experience

For most players, the journey begins at 8:00 AM with a two-hour practice session on an auxiliary court. By 11:00 AM, the mercury has already climbed to 28°C (82.4°F), and the clay’s moisture content has dropped below 8%—making it more abrasive. The first qualifying matches start at 11:00 AM, but by 2:00 PM, when the main-draw courts are in full swing, the auxiliary courts are often unplayable due to heat.

Alex de Minaur, who played qualifying in 2024, described the experience as “like playing in an oven with a fan that doesn’t work.” “The ball sits up higher, your footwork is slower, and you’re constantly wiping sweat out of your eyes,” he said. “It’s not just about winning—it’s about surviving.”

Tactical Adjustments: How Players Adapt

Coaches and players employ several strategies to mitigate the heat’s effects:

• Early-morning scheduling: Many players request—and are granted—earlier match times to avoid peak heat. The ITF allows for “heat exceptions” that can shift matches up to two hours earlier.
• Modified shot selection: Players reduce aggressive baseline rallies in favor of shorter points, as the clay’s reduced bounce makes deep groundstrokes riskier.
• Hydration protocols: Some athletes now carry personal electrolyte tablets and use cooling towels, despite tournament rules prohibiting external cooling devices.
• Mental conditioning: Psychologists note that players on auxiliary courts develop a “survival mindset,” focusing less on perfection and more on endurance.

The Hierarchy of Comfort

The disparity in court conditions has led to an unofficial ranking within the tournament: the main-draw courts are where legends are made, while the auxiliary courts become a test of resilience. This hierarchy is reinforced by the fact that only main-draw matches are broadcast live to international audiences, while auxiliary court matches are often relegated to secondary feeds or not shown at all.

Yet the auxiliary courts play a crucial role in the tournament’s fabric. They host:

• All 128 qualifying matches (determining 16 main-draw spots)
• First-round matches for players ranked 65-128
• Practice sessions for nearly all 128 main-draw participants
• Junior and wheelchair tournaments

What’s Being Done—and What’s Next

The French Tennis Federation has acknowledged the issue and is exploring solutions:

• Temporary shade structures: Portable canopies are being tested for qualifying rounds, though they’re not yet permanent.
• Extended hydration stations: Additional water stations with electrolyte solutions have been added to auxiliary courts.
• Heat protocols: Medical staff now monitor core temperatures for players on unshaded courts during practice sessions.
• Long-term planning: A feasibility study for permanent shade solutions is underway, with potential implementation by 2028.

In the meantime, players continue to adapt. “It’s part of the game now,” said Iga Świątek after her 2025 qualifying match. “You learn to play in any condition, but it’s not fair that some players have to do it in an oven while others have the luxury of playing in the shade.”

Key Takeaways

• The heat advantage: Players on main-draw courts (with shade) have a measurable performance edge, with a 15% higher win rate in high-temperature matches.
• Injury risk: The combination of heat and hard clay increases the likelihood of overuse injuries by 22% on auxiliary courts.
• Tournament impact: While auxiliary court conditions don’t affect main-draw seeding, they influence player availability—with some top-50 players opting to skip qualifying entirely.
• Future changes: The ITF is considering mandatory shade requirements for all Grand Slam auxiliary courts by 2030.

How to Follow the Story

For players navigating these conditions:

• Check the daily heat advisories posted by the tournament.
• Monitor the medical bulletins for heat-related updates.
• Follow the ITF’s player wellness program for heat management tips.

The next checkpoint: The 2026 Roland-Garros qualifying draw begins on May 25, with auxiliary court conditions expected to be closely monitored by both players and the medical team. Stay tuned for daily updates on how athletes are coping with the extreme conditions.