The strangest Roland Garros

Roland Garros opens this Sunday (11:00, Eurosport) a strange 2020 edition, marked by the coronavirus pandemic and in conditions that have little to do with those that characterized the tournament in its previous 118 celebrations. In autumn, with a cold climate in which rain will predominate, very little public and new balls, the Wilson that Nadal criticizes so much. These are some of the novelties of the French major that we summarize in this article.

The weather

For the first time in history, Roland Garros will be played in autumn. The postponement due to COVID-19 led to the start of the competition at the end of September and will end in October. With spring already far behind, an average temperature of 15 degrees and lots of rain is expected in Paris in the first week. The forecast says that the weather will improve but, obviously, the sun will not shine in the same way as in May and June.

Ceiling in the Chatrier

The new retractable roof of the center court, the Philippe Chatrier, finished construction in February and its inauguration will take place this Sunday. At a cost of around 350 million euros, the deck consists of 11 wings of 330 tonnes and a wingspan of 107 meters each.. Closes in 15 minutes.

Artificial light

A total of 12 courts at the Roland Garros complex, including the Chatrier, Suzanne Lenglen and Simonne Mathieu, will have artificial lighting. Despite this novelty, this year there will still be no evening sessions.

New balls

Roland Garros broke its contract with Babolat as a supplier of balls and signed with Wilson. Nadal assures that the new balls are “super heavy, like stones” and that they do not take the effects well.

Little public

The restrictions imposed in 11 large cities in France due to the worsening health situation they reduced the planned capacity for Roland Garros from 20,000 to 11,500, then to 5,000 and on Friday to the 1,000 who will be able to enter each day to the tournament venue.

Bubble

Players must pass controls every three to four daysThey live in two hotels, they can only enter the tournament with two companions and they do not have access on the days they do not play.