- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,171,141
- Reaction score
- 59
French Open organisers have reacted to safety complaints from players by moving advertising boards on the courts at Roland Garros.
British number three Katie Boulter and Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez both tripped over the foot-high Lacoste signs during matches on Thursday and Friday, with the latter forced to abandon her doubles contest after only two games.
Boulter was unhurt but wrote on X: “THESE THINGS HAVE TO GO. Got lucky last night but next time I might not be.”
Sonmez, who revealed she had needed two stitches and bruised her knee, backed up Boulter’s call, and other players including Iga Swiatek also voiced their concerns.
On Saturday, action had been taken, with the boards, which had previously been placed in front of the folded court covers, now on top of the tarpaulins right at the back of the courts.
Organisers released a statement on Friday night, saying: “We have taken this feedback into account and are maintaining ongoing communication with the players and their teams.
“All Roland Garros courts currently exceed the international circuit minimum requirements regarding the distance between the baseline and the back of the court.
“However, the tournament’s priority remains the well-being of the players taking part. With this in mind, and based on our own observations, adjustments are currently being made to the area around the playing surface.”
Continue reading...
British number three Katie Boulter and Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez both tripped over the foot-high Lacoste signs during matches on Thursday and Friday, with the latter forced to abandon her doubles contest after only two games.
Boulter was unhurt but wrote on X: “THESE THINGS HAVE TO GO. Got lucky last night but next time I might not be.”
Sonmez, who revealed she had needed two stitches and bruised her knee, backed up Boulter’s call, and other players including Iga Swiatek also voiced their concerns.
On Saturday, action had been taken, with the boards, which had previously been placed in front of the folded court covers, now on top of the tarpaulins right at the back of the courts.
Organisers released a statement on Friday night, saying: “We have taken this feedback into account and are maintaining ongoing communication with the players and their teams.
“All Roland Garros courts currently exceed the international circuit minimum requirements regarding the distance between the baseline and the back of the court.
“However, the tournament’s priority remains the well-being of the players taking part. With this in mind, and based on our own observations, adjustments are currently being made to the area around the playing surface.”
Continue reading...
