It’s springtime in Paris, romance capital of the world; the air is thick with the perfume of blooming flowers, the songs of birds, the mood of l’amour – and the thwack of tennis balls. It’s time once again for the French Open, widely regarded as the world’s most formidable tennis tournament. From May 24th through June 7th, premier players from around the globe will face off on the red clay courts of the city of love. Over the course of its hundred-odd-year history, the tournament has showcased the birth of such legends of the sport as Bjorn Borg, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles, and it is open to amateurs and professionals alike. The second in the series of Grand Slam tournaments, the French Open has the largest live and broadcast audiences of all tennis competitions – even greater than its famous Grand Slam counterpart, the Wimbledon Championships. This year is sure to be no exception to the rule of exciting and historic competition, as reigning champion and World Number One player Rafael Nadal appears headed for his fifth consecutive French Open victory – a feat that would break the record set by four-time winner and tennis legend Bjorn Borg. So join the rest of the world – be the audience to tennis history in the making at the 2009 French Open, starting next month at the Roland Garros courts in Paris.
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