2019 French Open Preview, Predictions & Betting Tips

The French Open dates back to 1891 and is considered a highlight of the tennis tour. Originally only open to tennis players who were members of French clubs, the ‘Championnat de France’ remained that way 1924. 

A different tournament called the World Hard Court Championships was contested on clay courts at Stade Français in Saint-Cloud from 1912 to 1914 and in 1920, 1921 and 1923. In 1925 the French Championships was open to international amateurs and held at the Stade Français. 

The tournament changed drastically when France won the Davis Cup in America in 1927 with the famous quarter of René Lacoste, Jean Borotra, Henri Cochet, and Jacques Brugnon who were known as the ‘Philadelphia Four’.

Deciding to defend the Davis Cup at home, the French decided to build a new tennis stadium in the Porte d'Auteuil region of Paris. Three hectares of land was offered by the Stade de France with the Stade de Roland Garros built and names after aviation pioneer and World War I pilot Roland Garros. 

In 1928 the French Internationals tennis tournament was moved to Roland Garros where it has been held ever since. The tournaments held from 1941-1945 during World War II were not recognised by the French governing body.

The French Championships were held after Wimbledon in 1946 and 1947. In 1968 the tournament became the first Grand Slam to become open which allowed amateurs and professionals to compete.

Various player awards were introduced in 1981 such as the Prix Orange, the Prix Citron and the Prix Bourgeon. In 2007 the French Open decided to distribute prize money equally for men and women for the first time.

The clay courts at the French Open produce a different style of tennis when compared to grass courts or hard courts. The ball is slowed down and produces a high bounce which makes it difficult for big servers and serve-and-volleyers.

Many former top tennis players never won the French Open including Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, John Newcombe, Stefan Edberg, Boris Becker and Venus Williams. On the other hand, some players have dominated at Roland-Garros such as Rafael Nadal, Björn Borg, Ivan Lendl, Justine Henin and Chris Evert.

The 2019 Fench Open will be held at Roland Garros which was built in 1928. The Roland Garros complex contains 20 courts with three large-capacity stadiums, France's National Training Centre (CNE) and the Tenniseum which is a multimedia museum of the history of tennis.

The 2019 French Open begins on Sunday 26 May 2019 and ends with the Men's Final on Sunday 9 June 2019. 

Rafael Nadal has had a stranglehold over the tournament in recent years, winning 11 of the past 14 French Open men's singles titles. Nadal is the current champion having defeated Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 in the 2018 final. 

Romania's Simona Halep is the current French Open women's singles champion after defeating Sloane Stephens 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the 2018 final.