The Paris city council has voted against the French Open's expansion project.
The council voted by a small but significant margin to halt the proposal currently being put forward by the tournament. The move could cause further delays in the French Tennis Federation's aims to increase its facilities and build a new stadium with a roof.
Tournament director Gilbert Ysern said the tournament is “once again hostage to politican games,” and that with five years of proceedings, it was now impatient for permits for construction. The current proposal involves expanding into Les Serres d'Auteil, the botanical gardens adjacent to the tournament, which has drawn objections from local groups even though the Federation has said it will preserve elements seen to be of historical importance. An alternative proposal has been put forward that involves expansion towards a neighboring highway.
Tournament officials have said the second proposal does not meet all their requirements.
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