Roland Garros 2009

Keeping things interesting in the press box

by Paul Myers

Article published on the 2009-05-24 Latest update 2009-05-24 11:37 TU

Roland Garros tropies displayed during the draw ceremony, 22 May 2009
(Photo: Reuters)

Even though the French Open takes place in the leafy western Parisian suburbs of Auteuil, the event’s organisers appear keen to ensure that it isn’t exempt from the structural self-analysis beloved of the philosophers who once haunted the cafes of St. Germain back east in the city centre.

A few years ago one of the executive suits came up with the idea of creating an office where spectators leaving the show courts at, say, 4pm could leave their tickets so that other enthusiasts could buy them – at a reduced price – and see a few hours of play.

The French tennis federation thought this was regenerative genius, as it not only put more bums on the same seats but whipped up a bit of cash for cha-ri-dee.

And then this year just before the tournament, it was announced that a court would be built near the main stadium with a covered roof.

But while the boss class has been furrowing its brows over how to rack up the changes and ring in the cash, the press pack has been a relative plod zone. For the years that I’ve been covering Roland Garros, we’ve been using the same studio overlooking Court Suzanne Lenglen.

The print journalists are in the same room and they sit in the same seat, year-in, year-out. I’m loath to say some of them seem to ask the same questions of the same players.

But on the back of the Obama zeitgeist, change has a-come, and it’s forced some highfalutin doubting.

While picking up my multiple zone accreditation badge, the press desk operative thrust a piece of paper in front of me, asked me to read and sign it. Malleable and suggestive, I duly complied.

The Charte des Accreditations says that I should behave courteously and also not try to give my badge to anyone to get them in. It also advises me not to get involved in any betting or go round trying to film players or parts of the grounds without permission.

Well, I’d never be able to offer up my badge to anyone else – absolutely no one could rival my good looks and as for getting in someone else to do my job.... why would I get someone in to do what I adore?

But clearly there have been some infractions.

I’ve been asking around and apparently there were a few fisticuffs last year between a couple of photographers.  Heaven only knows why, because the men’s winner in 2008 was Rafael Nadal, the chap who’d won in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

My suspicion is that the organisers thought that since it all seems wrapped up in the men’s singles, they ought to try and keep things interesting by introducing an element of uncertainty elsewhere.

It works for me.