The Sanctuaries

Roland Garros and Wimbledon summarize the essence of “The Battle of Surfaces”. The first was played for the first time in 1891, but the oldest is the British tournament, quintessentially traditional, which began in 1877.

Both the clay courts and the grass courts have their sanctuaries. The first is Roland Garros, inaugurated in 1928. Those were the days of “The Musketeers”: René Lacoste, Jean Borotrá, Jacques Brugnon and Henri Cochet. The year before they had snatched the Davis Cup from the United States and France was in an uproar. A new stadium was needed to house so much passion. Thus the mythical scenario in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne was born, named after the legendary aviator, a French officer who was the first to fly over the Mediterranean. Garrós died in combat in 1918, when the First World War was almost over. He was just 30 years old.

France was champion of the Davis Cup five times in a row, which they enjoyed to the full in their new stadium. Reforms were needed, but the budget was insufficient at the time. The event, which was born as the French 1891 Championship, was not played between 1915-1920 and 1940-1945 due to the World Wars, and it was only in the Opens Era of tennis (1968) with sponsors and increasing interest, that Roland Garros began to expand until it became the giant it is today, with 17 sponsors and 23 tennis courts. The main court, Phillippe Chatrier boasts 15,000 seats, followed by the Suzanne Lenglen court, with 10,000 and Court Nº 1, with 3,800 seats. A scenario where as well as the Musketeers, stars such as Bjôrn Borg (six times champion), Rod Laver, Manuel Santana, Roy Emerson, Mats Wilander, Ivan Lendl, Gustavo Kuerten, among the men and Chris Evert (7 times champion), Steffi Graf, Maureen Connolly, Margaret Court, Helen Wills, Martina Navratilova, Monica Seles and Justine Henin, among the women, also shone.

Wimbledon is tradition itself. It was born in 1977 on Worple road, and only with matches for men. Seven years later the first games for women took place and by 1922 the All England & Croquet Club established itself on Church Road. Known as “The Championship”, it is the oldest Grand Slam; enveloped in mysticism. The whole atmosphere on that London lawn is special, as well as the differences and privileges that exist for the best players and which everyone has always accepted. The tournament is Britain’s National pride and they defend it as their emblem. It is curious to note that no English male player has succeeded in winning since 1936, when Fred Perry raised the trophy, whereas the last British woman to raise the trophy was Virginia Wade in 1977.

In 1940, five German bombs fell on the roof of the Centre court, which had to be re-built. The bad thing about Wimbledon is the weather, which hinders the game enormously because of the grass surface. For this reason, there are plans for the next overhaul to come up with a roofed central court by 2009. The colours green and violet are a symbol of the tournament, an authentic social event in which everyone wishes to participate. It is quite normal to see people camping in the club’s surroundings in the off-chance of obtaining a ticket for the following day. Women are addressed as “Miss” or “Mrs.” during the games, depending on their marital status, whilst the men are called by their sir-names.

Pete Sampras is the maximum champion (7 times) of the All England, together with William Renshaw, although Bjôrn Borg holds the record of 5 consecutive wins, between 1976 and 1980 of the Opens Era. Other illustrious champions of all times are Fred Perry, Don Budge, John Newcombe, Rod Laver, John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Boris Becker and Roger Federer. Among the women Champions we have Martina Navratilova, the Queen of all times, with 9 titles in singles, followed by Helen Wills with 8. Billie-Jean King, Suzanne Lenglen, Margaret Court, Chris Evert and Steffi Graf.