1973

Highlights of the tournament

The tie-break is brought in this year at six games all, except in the third set in the women’s singles and the fifth set in the men’s singles. The first two rounds in the men’s are also played as best of three sets. 

Due to rain, the final is played on a Tuesday, and sees Ilie Nastase become the first Romanian to win Roland Garros, without dropping set into the bargain – the first player to do so in Paris. His win is watched by tennis fans all around France on the second free-to-air channel. 

Margaret Smith-Court takes the title for the fifth and final time, while BNP bank becomes a tournament partner.

Video highlights