Pictorial Tour: The New Court Simonne-Mathieu is a Dream

Call it a dream, call it a gem. Whatever you call it there's no denying that the FFT has outdone themselves with new Court Simonne-Mathieu. It’s been called simply, “a dream.” It’s quickly been deemed the most charming showcourt in Grand Slam tennis. It’s a stunning architectural achievement that merges the bounty of nature and modernity of construction into one appealing package.

Ready? Play!

Enjoying a bit of what lovely court Simonne-Mathieu has to offer. Madison Keys up a set on Blinkova. #RG19 pic.twitter.com/ICdenCY0iN

— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) June 1, 2019

It’s the new Court Simonne-Mathieu, and it’s lovingly nestled into a greenhouse on all four corners on the far east end of the Roland Garros grounds. Stroll east from the fabled Bullring, past the Quotidien stand and down the promenade which is flanked by the Jardin des Serres d’auteuil on the north and the Orangerie on the south, and voila! The court reveals itself in subtle fashion.

You see overlapping clear glass windows forming a roundish façade. Peer through and see the greenhouse in full bloom. Walk north and turn at the corner and there is a grand esplanade where venders sell snacks and orange, reclining lawnchairs are clustered in front of a giant screen.

And that’s just the beginning. Step into this magnificent structure and don’t adjust your glasses—this is real. One can stroll the perimeter of this sunken court on the ground level and view the Simonne’s terre battue from many different perspectives. You don’t need to take your seat when play is live—feel free to roam the perimeter and peek through, shifting your vantage point at every changeover.

Or if you’ve walked enough, by all means grab your seat—there isn’t a bad one in the house. It’s intimate, cozy and pleasing to be there. One can lounge in the shade and peek out over the stadium at the tall trees beyond or stare down at the surface to watch the the play of the light on the clay as the sun begins to set.

There’s a reason everybody is raving about the new Court Simonne-Mathieu. It is not only a perfect way to take in the tennis, it is also a perfect way for fans to enjoy nature and feel the effect of going for a summer stroll, far from the gridlocked west side of the grounds where fans are packed like sardines on the Grand Allée Marcel-Bernard.

As you might have imagined, Tennis Now spent quite a bit of time out on Court Simonne-Mathieu this year, recording our daily podcasts there, watching practice and watching live matches. Here’s some photos to give you the lay of the land…

The Walk west from Court Simonne-Mathieu back to the Bullring.