Colin Abgrall, edited by Laura Laplaud / Photo credit: ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT / AFP
Roland-Garros is not just about the Philippe Chatrier court, the Suzanne Lenglen court or the Simonne-Mathieu court and its greenhouses… At the Porte d’Auteuil, the adjoining courts also enjoy great popularity, like the short number 14. Created in 2018, this year it has forged the reputation of a real lucky charm for the French.
Fiona Ferro came out of qualifying there, as did Lucas Pouille who also passed the first round, but also Léolia Jeanjean, qualified for the second round. Court number 14 still vibrated Monday for the young Luca Van Assche.
“Big atmospheres” on court 14
Located at the end of the Porte d’Auteuil complex, dug into the ground, court 14 has allowed each Frenchman who has walked on it to transcend themselves, in particular Léolia Jeanjean, qualified in the second round. “I think that if we do this same match in other conditions, I don’t think the turn is the same. We really feel the vibrations of the public, so that helps a lot”, testifies the player at the microphone of Europe 1 .
On Monday, spectators were waiting for the nugget Luca Van Assche. Anthony, cap screwed on his head, arrived two hours early. “It’s a court where you can have a lot of people, it creates a great atmosphere. And on the other hand, it’s really intimate, you can see the players more closely whereas on the big courts, it’s It’s a bit more complicated,” he says.
2,200 spectators
2,200 spectators warmed by a sun present from start to finish. A Frenchman on the court and the 14 ignites. Luca Van Assche won his first victory on Monday for his first Roland-Garros. It was well worth a Marseillaise sung by the spectators. This Tuesday, Fiona Ferro will taste court 14 again while Hugo Gaston will discover it. Two chances to see the magic happen again.