Roland-Garros, otherwise known as the French Open, is a fantastic sporting event that occurs each year in June. First held in 1891,
this tournament is a showcase of the world's best tennis players and is one of four Grand Slam tennis tournaments (the Australian Open,
Wimbledon and the US Open being the other three).
This Grand Slam event is known for being the only major tournament played on the distinctive orange clay court. This surface makes the ball slower and bounce higher, contributing to the French Open being a notoriously difficult game of tennis.
Held in the Roland Garros stadium - named after the French aviation pioneer killed in World War I - this tournament runs several main competitions: men's singles and doubles, women's singles and doubles, and mixed doubles matches (each including wheelchair draws too). It has been many years since a French player has lifted the trophy of Roland-Garros, with Spaniard Rafael Nadal recognised as the "undisputed king" after winning 9 times over 10 appearances.
Get the most out of this year's French Open with our selection of linguistic, cultural and historical resources.
And stay up-to-date with dates, draws and where to watch the tournament on the Roland Garros website.
Prepare to understand the French commentators or talk about the game with your friends thanks to this useful vocabulary list from ThoughtCo covering equipment, rules, shots, scoring and more.
For the visual learners, develop your vocabulary with these illustrated lists, complete with a short quiz to test your understanding.
An informative listening comprehension activity that answers the questions "Who was Roland Garros?" and "Why do the
tennis stadium and French Open tournament bare his name?"
If you love a spot of tennis, check out this inspiring podcast that analyses the techniques of the greats, including Rafa Nadal, Novak
Djokovic, Serena Williams and Roger Federer, while also providing strategies to improve your game.
A comprehensive catalogue of resources for adults and youth alike, TV5 Monde offers video content, lesson plans, additional resources
and more. Search by age, level in French or topic.
Which renowned fashion designer was first a successful tennis star? Join our two-hour workshop The Evolution of French Fashion
to find the answer.
