French Open: Rafael Nadal – Small show run on the Suzanne Lenglen

With a few exceptions, the squad of tennis stars has already gathered in Roland Garros. And busy practicing. First and foremost record winner Rafael Nadal.

By Jens Huiber from Paris

Of course – this Thursday’s qualifying matches in Roland Garros also attracted the interest of the audience. Most fans, however, made a detour to Court Suzanne Lenglen around noon. For good reason: Rafael Nadal used the second largest stadium of the complex to fight with Pablo Cuevas for the coming tasks.

With a full chapel by the way: even manager Carlos Costa had taken a seat in the stands. The plastic seat shells of the past years have given way to more comfortable wooden chairs.

The Court Philippe Chatrier, on the other hand, has not changed, not even the fact that the exercises there take place in camera. David Goffin and Grigor Dimitrov are not known for their shyness, but the Belgian and Bulgarian enjoyed the opportunity to train in Rafael Nadal’s living room. No spectators, then. Like next couple, Lucas Pouile and Novak Djokovic. As is well known, the Serbian is looking for the magic of the last years, he has not yet found it in the session with the French local hero.

At Pouille’s side: Tommy Haas, tournament director in Indian Wells and recently retired top player

There is still a lot of work going on during the last days before the start of the tournament on Sunday, some cosmetic changes make the facility at Bois de Boulogne appear even friendlier than in the years before. So Court 10 simply had to give way to a restaurant.

Still indestructible, however, borders on the place of the musketeers: Court Number 1, the annual ritual of saying goodbye to the bullring forever, can therefore also be carried out in 2018. The conversions in Roland Garros are well considered. And can take time.

However, one classic had to believe in it: Court 2, the historic place where Dominic Thiem once contested the junior finals, has now had to make way for a construction pit. What is created on the spot cannot yet be seen.