After two years without an audience, the tournament is running at full speed. And will end with a record fifteen in terms of spectators and income.
Years of grooming, revamping and work to bring it up to par with other Grand Slam tournaments, Australian Open, Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows. For this 2022 financial year, Roland-Garros has finally put on its new clothes. After the construction of the semi-buried court in the Auteuil greenhouses, called Simonne-Mathieu (2019), the installation of a removable roof on the Philippe-Chatrier court (2020) and the launch of night sessions (2021), the Parisian tournament can, for the first time, fill up with spectators. And to see the full spans, the traffic jams in the passageways and in front of the food stands, this edition of the revival seems a great success. “Happiness, rejoices Gilles Moretton, president of the French Tennis Federation (FFT). This system was in place in 2021 but, Covid obliges, we were deprived of the public. That makes all the difference. »
The milestone of 600,000 spectators will be reached; in terms of turnover, the target of 290 million euros will be exceeded
Experienced in 2021, the night sessions, with a match played under the sunlight at 9 p.m., are a hit: 15,000 admissions each evening and a bullfighting atmosphere with less knowledgeable but more noisy and enthusiastic spectators. Purists are a little rags. But the mayonnaise took. “It is our dilemma, continues Gilles Moretton: to respect the tradition of a tournament which was born with the musketeers and to evolve with our times. »
In 2022, two records will be broken. The milestone of 600,000 spectators will be reached; in terms of turnover, the objective of 290 million euros will be exceeded. Priority is always given to licensees – one million – who can reserve their places first. But the rest of the tickets are taken by storm. This year, the tournament has set up a new formula which allows aficionados access for a limited time to the boxes, located at the edge of the court, when the VIP guests are eating. Finished, therefore, the criticisms on the deserted stands of the middle of the day during the clashes between heads of series.
“We have improved on all fronts: TV rights, ticketing, hospitality or merchandising,” explains Stéphane Morel, deputy general manager of the FFT, in charge of marketing and development, formerly of NBA Europe. On the partner side, the room for maneuver is limited. Like the space on the short edge panels. The FFT is limited to twenty companies. “With a key word, loyalty,” continues Stéphane Morel. Thus Lacoste has been present for fifty-one years. And BNP Paribas has associated its name with the tournament since 1973.” New to this edition, Renault replaces Peugeot. And it shows, with dedicated marketing and sales campaigns and a diamond on the net. Next challenges: hosting the 2024 Games and bringing Roland-Garros to life 365 days a year with boxing, concerts and events.