French Open Tennis Facts

It's one of the world's biggest tennis tournaments and the only one played on clay. Check out Kidzworld's facts on the French Open.

French Open - History

The French Open has been held in Paris every year since 1891, except from 1939-1945, when it was cancelled because of World War II.

Women's singles were added to the French Open in 1897. In 1925, the French Open was opened up to the best foreign players.

In 1928, the French Open was held at Roland-Garros, for the first time. The new stadium was named after a former French tennis player who was also the first pilot to fly over the Mediterranean Sea.

French Open - Victories at Home

Victories at the French Open by French tennis players have been few and far between. They happen about as often as Paris Hilton makes a statement of profound intellect. Only two men and three women from France have won singles' titles at the French Open. The last French person to win at Roland-Garros was Mary Pierce in 2000.

French Open - Clay Courts

The French Open is the only Grand Slam tennis tournament played on clay courts. On clay, the ball bounces much higher than on other surfaces so players have to hit the ball at shoulder level. The ball also travels slower on a clay surface, so rallies tend to last longer, which means players spend more time running back and forth. Moving around on a clay surface can also be more difficult for players because the clay isn't as firm as a hard court surface.

French Open - 2007 Top Seeds

The top seed in the men's bracket belongs to Roger Federer, followed by second seed Rafael Nadar and third seed Andy Roddick. Rafael, who is the defending French Open champion and king of clay courts, saw his 81 straight clay court victories come to an end after a recent loss to Roger. The French Open in the only Grand Slam tournament that Roger has not won. Since losing to Rafael in the French Open finals last year, Roger has won all three other Grand Slams.

The ladies bracket is led by Justine Henin of Belgium. The second seed belongs to Maria Sharapova while Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova owns the third seed. Some sleepers who could make some noise this year are eighth seed Serena Williams and fifth seed Amelie Mauresmo.

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