Roland-Garros 2021 spirit, can you hear me?

It hit hard near Court 14, was spotted on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne, and has even been seen haunting Porte d'Auteuil metro station in the middle of the night...

In 2021, the Roland-Garros spirit is enveloping Paris more than ever. This spring, we have found six apparitions that are anything but paranormal! Roland-Garros 2021 spirit, can you hear me?

Half a century

1971 - 2021: It was a whole half-century ago that the famous green crocodile took up residence in Roland-Garros stadium. Fifty whole years of style  and elegance cultivated by Lacoste and Roland-Garros. From one spring to the next, one tournament to the next, this authentic collaboration has given rise to transgenerational collections that are always chic and bang on trend.

The 2021 tournament is celebrating this important anniversary and is using it as an excuse to relive the “Golden Age” of tennis.

Saint Andrew

The newly-transformed stadium has preserved the indelible mark of its rich history, and the Saint Andrew’s cross is proof of this. These concrete crosses serve to remind us that Roland-Garros has been modernised, transformed and transcended without losing any of its soul.

A veritable architectural symbol, the Saint Andrew’s cross pops up all over the stadium, so keep your eyes peeled!

Jean, Jacques, Henri and René

They’re back! Stadium visitors will once again be able to admire the impressive bronze statues of the four Mousquetaires, which were sculpted by Italian artist Vito Tongiani between 1989 and 1991. Returning to a modernised Roland-Garros stadium, René Lacoste, Jean Borotra, Henri Cochet and Jacques Brugnon are back in their original position – on the site of the former Place des Mousquetaires – in the brand-new Mousquetaires Gardens.

We need no reminders: the legacy of these four legends of French tennis speaks for itself, and their spirit is omnipresent in the stadium.

The cloud kisser

Be careful not to crick your neck as you lift your eyes higher and higher towards the sky! Propped up against the canopy of the Parvis de l’Aviator, Roland Garros now stands proudly in the heart of the stadium that bears his name. This monumental steel sculpture, measuring more than six metres high, was created by young French artist Caroline Brisset. The FFT wanted to pay tribute to the legendary gentleman that was Roland Garros, an illustrious pilot and French war hero. The legendary spirit of “the cloud kisser” is now displayed for all to see. An invitation to reach for the skies and aim ever higher…

With your head in the clouds and feet ready to explore the stadium’s extensive grounds, head to Gate 1, the brand-new public entrance to Roland-Garros stadium. We’re waiting to greet you! 

The noise of the supporters

With just a few days to go before the Parisian Grand Slam kicks off, it’s time to make some noise! The Roland-Garros spirit has already invaded the minds of all of the world’s top tennis champions. Whether near or far, they are preparing to step out onto the Parisian red clay, determined to flirt with victory.

If you close your eyes, you can already hear the balls bouncing, the players sliding, the cheers and encouragement of the crowds. Roland-Garros is a place where the players hit hard, sweat, excel themselves, and that is how tennis comes to life, on the legendary ochre courts of the Porte d’Auteuil. Are you ready to experience this incredible blend of emotions once again? Let’s go! 

It’s time!

The springtime heralds a charming aroma of jasmine that floats around the stadium. The old chestnut tree in the Bois de Boulogne dons its summer coat. Nature springs back to life, bringing with it a warm and fuzzy atmosphere that envelops the Parisian streets. For us, that is what spring is all about. It is not a date, it’s a moment, a feeling, an event.

It’s a ray of sunshine caressing your arm, it’s the first day you step out without a coat, a certain air that makes you feel freer than you did the day before… This year in particular, it’s a pressing desire to go out and experience the thrill of sitting in the stands in the Porte d'Auteuil stadium. It’s time for Roland-Garros!