French Open 2020
The third but final Grand Slam of an eventful year gets underway on the clay courts in Paris. The French Open 2020 will be the 124th edition of the tournament.
A dark cloud hovered over the event due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Cases in Paris are on the rise, but the event organizers are positive about creating a secure bubbe for the players and other members.
Where will the French Open be held?
Like every year, the French Open 2020 will be held at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France.
It is organized by the French Tennis Federation on the clay courts in Paris. It usually follows a host of other major events in the clay-court season. However, this time only the Italian Open in Rome precedes it, as other events were canceled due to the coronavirus.
When will the French Open 2020 be held?
The event had many schedule changes. It was originally scheduled from May 24 to June 7. It was then moved to a September 20 start, and again to a September 27 start.
The French Open 2020 begins on September 21 and finishes on October 11, spanning three weeks in a rare occurrence.
What is different at the French Open 2020?
The French Open 2020 is the first edition with a retractable roof on the main court - Court Philippe Chatrier. This will allow night matches for the first time at the event and also allow matches to be played in rain. The four main stadium courts will all see matches under floodlights.
Also, this is the first time that stadiums will not be filled to capacity. However, up to 11,500 fans are allowed on the three main courts - up to 5,000 people each on Court Philippe Chatrier and Court Suzanne Lenglen. Up to 1,500 people on Court Simmone Mathieu.
Also, players will be tested for coronavirus upon arrival and will be tested again in 72 hours. Players can stay only in the two hotels provided by the organizers.
French Open 2020 defending champions
12-time champion Rafael Nadal is the defending champion in the men's singles. The French Open will be just his second event in six months.
Ashleigh Barty is the defending women's singles champion. The French Open 2020 will see a new women's champion as Barty will not play the event due to the pandemic.
The German pair of Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies is the men's doubles champions from 2019. Timea Babos and Kristina Mladenovic are the defending women's doubles champions.
Latisha Chan and Ivan Dodig won the mixed doubles titles in 2019.
French Open 2020 Prize Money
The total prize money for the 2020 event is set at 38 million Euros. The prize money is less by 10 percent this year, from 42.66 million Euros last year.
French Open 2020 Schedule
This year's French Open will see night matches as well along with the usual day session. Matches will begin at 5 AM (Eastern Time).
Night matches will be on the stadiums with floodlights.
Which channels are showing the French Open?
France - France.tv Sport, Eurosport
Europe (all territories) - Eurosport
Europe (local) - ITV, Rtbf.be, SRG SSR, eirsport, ORF, EPT, Radio Televijiza Slovenija, Televizia Markiza, PTS, Kyle, Eesti Meedia, Ceska Televize, Hrvastska radiotelevizija, PTPC, RTCG
USA - NBC Sports, Tennis channel
Canada - RDS, TSN
Latin-America - ESPN
Brazil - Band Sports
North-Africa and Middle-east - bein sports
Sub-Saharan Africa - SuperSport, Canal+
India - Star Sports
China - CMG
South-East Asia - Fox Sports
Japan - TV Tokyo, wowow
Australia - Fox Sports, SBS
New Zealand -Sky
South Korea - JTBC (Fox Sports)