Coaches getting cosy, football skills and learning French were on the agenda on Monday.
The Roland-Garros second week is well and truly in its stride. Novak Djokovic shocked everyone with a straight-sets win, just kidding, and a rematch of the Hamburg final was set up on the men’s side.
The women’s draw witnessed Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin roar back into contention too.
Here is what you may have missed on and off the court in Paris.
Zhang Shuai and Petra Kvitova shared a nice chat full of smiles at the net following their Court Philippe-Chatrier fourth-round clash.
After falling to Kvitova in straight sets, the Chinese world No.39 couldn’t speak higher of her opponent and even tipped the Czech for the title on Sunday.
“Even with I'm lost today but I'm still very happy for this year the French Open. I think I played pretty well, much better than before every year. I played a few good matches and I lost to Petra, she's a great player. I believe she can win the tournament if she play like today. Yeah, very good tennis and I like her very much.”
Sofia Kenin laid down another marker for her title credentials with a blistering comeback against home charge Fiona Ferro.
In a rather unique scene, their coaches Emmanuel Planque and Alex Kenin joined each other to sit side by side in the stands.
According to Tennis Channel’s reporting, the duo are good friends and planned on getting a beer (or vodka) after the match.
Sofia Kenin had a different explanation during her press conference.
"Well, first of all, I don't know why her coach sat in that section. On the right, it's the higher seed. I would imagine that he would be sitting on the other side. I didn't really understand why he was sitting there," said the fourth seed.
"My dad sat there. He tried to help me and it worked. There's nothing much to discuss about that."
Andrey Rublev, who has become one of the most consistent and devastating players to feature on the men’s tour, has booked his maiden quarter-final ticket at Roland-Garros.
The world No.12 was a junior champion here back in 2014 and gave his perception on how he has transformed since those days.
“I would say at that time I was not even a player,” joked the Russian. “I was completely different. I was kid. I was doing stupid things on court, off court.
“But I really loved tennis. I was working really hard when I was kid. But I didn't understand at that moment what tennis is. I didn't understand what you need to do on court, what you need to do out of court. I was just hitting, practising, hitting, because I love it, but without any thinking how to play, what you need to do, how to defend and all these little details. I didn't even know how it works.
“At that time was more about shots, if I had good day, something like that. But juniors, you cannot compare what happening now."
Unfortunately the fourth round encounter between Ons Jabeur and Danielle Collins was rescheduled due to the weather.
However, that gave the Tunisian time to sit down with Bethanie Mattek-Sands for a daily show the American is hosting during Roland-Garros.
Jabeur, the first Arab woman to ever reach the last 16 in Paris, spoke about her passion for football. A massive Cristiano Ronaldo fan, Jabeur has some serious skills on the football pitch and dreams of joining a team one day.
“I have a view of the soccer field from the hotel, I’m cheering for them. There’s women, men, kids all playing everyday. I’m just waiting for my shirt from Paris Saint-Germain,” quipped the world No.35.
“I love soccer, I grew up playing with my brothers. I was actually thinking about joining a team. As soon as I have the chance to, I will. I’m a forward as I want to score!”
Stefanos Tsitsipas, having prevailed past Grigor Dimitrov, was the latest star to attempt part of their interview in French.
The gregarious Greek trains at an academy in the French Riviera, so you’d think he would have picked up a few phrases.
He finished his on-court interview in the local language, saying, “Thanks for all the support so far and to come".
Will he have the crowd’s backing against Rublev?
Dimitrov might have missed out on a first ever Roland-Garros last-eight ticket, but he still illustrated his supreme athleticism on court.
His flexibility and retrieval skills remind us all we need to head to more yoga or Pilates classes.
Check out the GIF below, but please don’t try this at your local courts!
ROLAND-GARROS
18 May - 7 June 2026
