Preparing for the French Open

Like an artist painting a fresh canvas, the grounds staff at Roland Garrros creates a masterpiece each spring as they prepare the clay courts for the French Open. Its spring time in Paris and I have the unique opportunity to watch these modern day Picasso’s as they prepare to “paint” another exciting chapter in the history of tennis. This will be the only place and time in my experience with clay where I come to appreciate art over science as the renovation of center court begins.

The pristine red surface is blended into the limestone layer below as the week-long process gets under way. The court turns from red to pink under the hum of a diesel powered tractor, sawing its way along the old baselines. The entire surface is “fluffed” up at least 2”. Followed by a series of hand-leveling and rolling cycles, the “artists” push old wooden lutes back and forth to smooth and level the playing surface while the court is rolled firm.

Then by instinct the court is deemed ready for several new layers of fresh brick dust or “brick broken”. Skillfully thrown across the court with a hand shovel and the flick of the wrist, the brick dust lands in a perfect fan shape across the court.

According to the Federation Francaise de Tennis, the coloring layer serves 3 functions: to avoid players being disturbed by light reverberating on the limestone, to ensure sufficient contrast between the ground and the ball and to reconcile sliding and pushing off.

The court is hand-watered, dragged and rolled a few times over between “brick broken” applications. A total of 1-1/2 tons of brick dust will be applied to achieve a certain and unscientific “look” and “feel”. A single coating of linseed oil is applied with paint brushes prior to spraying on the line paint. The canvas is complete and center court is ready for a new day.

It looks as though the French Open will get off to a warm and sunny start this weekend. The remainder of next week however is forecasted to keep my friends on the grounds crew busy. I have learned much from these “artists”. I will think of them often as I watch a new chapter unfold in the history of Roland Garros.

Ed MonteCalvo
Consulting Services Manager
Lee Tennis Court Products