Fans at Roland Garros may have to wait longer for a roof to cover them from the yearly rainstorms in Paris. A lot longer.
Rain once again postponed early round matches at this year’s French Open on Monday. In response, tournament director Guy Forget held a press conference to discuss the delayed plans in building a roof over Court Philippe Chatrier among other improvements.
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"In other countries, things are quicker," Forget said. "So it's a question of time. I think that 2020 is the ultimate date that we have set for ourselves, we hope that everything will be finished."
The goal was to have a roof in place by 2018. But the overall renovation plans at Roland Garros have been put on hold due to ongoing legal battles. Local residents and environmentalists have blocked the improvements.
Both groups claim that a planned new 5,000 seat court near a local botanical garden will harm vegetation inside several 19th century greenhouses.
Until these disputes are resolved, the new court and roof over Chartier will not be finished.
"The work has already started two years ago in the stadium," Forget said. "It's not necessarily visible right now, but we have made progress. To put the roof on, you really need to change the structure of the stadium."
Roland Garros is still the only Grand Slam that does not yet have, or will have soon, a roof covering its main stadium. The US Open plans to unveil its new roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium later this year.
Australian tennis player Sam Groth found some humor in the whole situation.