French Open set for 2016 upgrade

The centre court at Roland Garros will have a retractable roof installed for the 2016 French Open, the French tennis federation announced yesterday.

The development of Court Philippe Chatrier, which is almost certain to be a precursor to evening or night sessions, will bring the tournament into line with the rest of the grand slams and is part of a major renovation of the Paris site.

In February, the FFT voted to keep the tournament in the centre of Paris rather than relocate it to a new venue in the suburbs and more details of the plans were revealed at a press conference yesterday.

The site, which is significantly smaller than its equivalents in Melbourne, London and New York and has become increasingly cramped, will expand into the neighbouring botanic gardens, where a new 5,000-seat court will be built.

The plans have met with considerable opposition from some local residents and supporters of the gardens but Bertrand Delanoe, the mayor of Paris, insisted no plants will be destroyed and that the new court will be accommodated around the prized Auteuil greenhouses.

Work will start next year on redeveloping Court Suzanne Lenglen and is expected to be completed by 2013.

Next year will also see applications for building permits, with special planning permission needed for the new roof.

It is hoped the garden court will be ready by 2014 with the transformation of Court Philippe Chatrier completed in time for the 2016 tournament.

The entire project is expected to cost €275 million.