Novak Djokovic Wants Lights And A Roof At Roland Garros

Written by: Staff on 29th May 2013

French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros

Novak Djokovic Wants Lights And A Roof At Roland Garros

epa03721676 Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action during his first round match against David Goffin of Belgium at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 28 May 2013. EPA/YOAN VALAT |

Novak Djokovic is dreaming of lights and a roof for Roland Garros, but may not know the full story the legal challenge to any French Open improvements which is starting to boil over.

The top seed won his opening match over Belgian David Goffin as light began to fade on a rainy second day, then found himself delighted by the apparent news that a roof – and lights – should be coming to the venue late in the decade.

But what he didn’t hear was the fact that the entire ambitious project to revitalize and expand the smallest grounds in Grand Slam tennis has hit a legal roadblock and could well be unlikely to meet a scheduled roof completion by 2018.

In the wake of a February Paris court decision knocking back the expansion plans on preservation grounds – an historic greenhouse sits in a public garden where Roland Garros wants to expand – neighbors of the tennis complex have launched a lawsuit over the matter.

But, legal challenges aside, Djokovic is only thinking of the tennis. “It (2018) seems a long way from now, but it is what it is. At least we’re gonna have all Grand Slam center courts covered except the US Open. We’re gonna need that, as well.

“It’s very much needed because the rain happens very often, except in Australia, maybe. All the other Slams struggle with the rain.

“What is more needed here is the lights on the centre court, because, you know, you stop play at 9:00, 9:30 because you can’t see anymore. So at least could have lights so the play can go for a few more hours. And I believe that’s not something that is big comparing to the project of the roof.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: David Goffin, French Open, French tennis news, Novak Djokovic, Roland Garros, Serbian tennis news, tennis stadiums

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May 29, 2013 at 8:52 am

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