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Some facts of the French Open |
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The very first French Championships
were held in 1891, the winner was a Englishman, named "H. Briggs" and Françoise Masson won the first ladies competition in 1897. However, the French Open did not become a truly international sport until the early 1920s, when the tournament was opened to other nations in 1925. Then in 1928, the tournament was moved to Roland Garros, its current home to the French Open we know today. The first competition was only a one-day national championship. It was not until 24 years later, when the competition of the men's tournament became fully international. After more than a century of tennis in France, Roland Garros has become one of the most cosmopolitan of the Grand Slams and as well, The French Open has become one of the most exciting international tennis championships in the world. After the First World War, French tennis was on the crest of a wave, with Suzanne Lenglen winning six times between 1920 and 1926. Coupled with the need to host the Davis Cup after the winning it in 1927, the popularity of tennis in France precipitated the construction of a brand new tennis stadium at Porte D'Auteuil, named after French war hero Roland Garros. Following the Second World War, France's domination slipped and the Americans and Australians took over, with new young stars such as Ken Rosewall of Australia and America's Maureen Connolly. In 1956 the tournament was host to the first African-American Grand Slam winner, the American Althea Gibson. In 1968, the Open era started when professionals were permitted to enter. The now established Rosewall stepped up to claim the men's prize money, 15 years after his first title. Nancy Richey took the ladies prize. In the 70's and 80's, with Bjorn Borg winning six titles and Chris Evert taking home seven and also with the French having some success, with Yannick Noah capturing France's first title for 37 years. The late 80's and early 90's tennis fans witness the rise of the teenage stars. Michael Chang won the 1989 Championships at the age of 17 years and 3 months. In the 1990's, Monica Seles won the title when she was only 16. The French Open is the only major tournament played on clay courts. Today The French Open still continues to bring every year more and more exciting tennis to fans around the world.
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