ROLAND-GARROS TOURNAMENT

 

Latest Context

The French Open, popularly known as the Roland-Garros tournament, was held from May 28, 2023, to June 11, 2023, at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris.

Facts about Roland-Garros

• One of tennis' four Grand Slam tournament, along with the US Open, Wimbledon, and the Australian Open, is Roland-Garros. At the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France, it lasts for two weeks.
• It is the only Grand Slam tournament held on clay courts, making it the most physically and strategically difficult competition in the world.

History and Importance of Roland-Garros:

• The event and venue are named after French aviator Roland Garros, who made history in 1913 by being the first person to fly across the Mediterranean Sea.
• In addition, he helped develop aerial combat during World War I before dying in action in 1918.
• The tournament was originally conducted in 1891 as a French-only national championship.
• It opened up to players from across the world in 1925 and moved to its present location in 1928.
• In 1968, it became the first Grand Slam event to participate under the "Open" era, which welcomed both amateurs and professionals.
• At Roland-Garros, Rafal Nadal has won a record 14 championships, including four straights from 2005 to 2008 and five straight from 2010 to 2014. He also holds the tournament records for winning the most matches (105) and having the best winning percentage (98.2%). He will not be playing in the Roland-Garros 2023 tournament.

Major Characteristics:

1. French Fair:

• Roland-Garros is a cultural and artistic event that highlights French elegance and flair in addition to being a tennis tournament. 20 courts make up Roland-Garros, including the Court Philippe-Chatrier, Court Suzanne-Lenglen, and Court Simonne-Mathieu, which are the three biggest display courts.
• The courts' unique red hue and reduced ball speed are a result of the use of crushed brick and limestone in their construction.

2. Trophies:

• The Coupe des Mousquetaires (Musketeers' Trophy) for men and the Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen (Suzanne Lenglen Trophy) for women are the two most recognisable awards given out throughout the competition.
• René Lacoste, Jean Borotra, Henri Cochet, and Jacques Brugnon for men, and Suzanne Lenglen for women, are the legends of the trophies, which bear their names.

What is Grand Slam?

• The four most significant tennis competitions each year are Grand Slam competitions, often known as majors.
• The Grand Slam schedule includes the Australian Open in the middle of January, the French Open in late May or early June, Wimbledon in June or July, and the US Open in August or September.
• Each tournament lasts two weeks to complete.
• Hard courts are used for the Australian and American tournament, clay for the French, and grass for Wimbledon.
• The US in 1881, the French in 1891, and the Australian in 1905 are the next-oldest tournaments after Wimbledon, which was inaugurated in 1877.
• By winning the 2023 Australian Open, Novak Djokovic tied Rafael Nadal's record for most grand slam championships.

Q. Consider the following statements in respect of the 44th Chess Olympiad, 2022: (2023)

1.It was the first time that Chess Olympiad was held in India.

2.The official mascot was named ‘Thambi’.

3.The trophy for the winning team in the open section is the Vera Menchik Cup.

4.The trophy for the winning team in the women's section is the Hamilton-Russell Cup.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Ans: (b)

 

Must Check: Best IAS Coaching Centre In Delhi