2002

Highlights of the tournament

Spain’s Albert Costa is an outsider to say the least at the beginning of the fortnight, but come Sunday 9 June, he is the one brandishing the Coupe des Mousquetaires aloft having overcome fellow Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final. With those two and also Alex Corretja making the semi-finals, Spanish tennis is a cut above the rest, much like the Americans in the women’s singles with three semi-finalists of their own – Jennifer Capriati, Serena and Venus Williams.

A US player goes on to win the title for the eighth Grand Slam in a row (and this record will be stretched to 11 by the time the 2003 Australian Open is in the books). Serena Williams sets off in Paris on what will become a Grand Slam over two seasons by beating her sister Venus in the final. Two days later on 10 June 2002, the Williams sisters sit atop the WTA rankings - the first time that siblings have occupied the top two places. 

Richard Gasquet wins the boy’s singles after an all-French final against Laurent Recouderc. At just 45 minutes, it is also the shortest final in the event’s history. And not content with being the quickest, the future world junior champion (at the end of 2002) also breaks the record for the youngest winner of the boy’s juniors at the age of 15 years and 11 months. 

Video highlights