Amélie Mauresmo to become Roland Garros’ first woman tournament director in 2022

Amélie Mauresmo’s barrier-breaking career began its latest chapter on Thursday when it was announced that the former world No. 1 would serve as the latest tournament director for Roland Garros. Taking over from Guy Forget, who served from 2016 to 2021, Mauresmo will be the first woman in the role.

“I have accepted the position with clear ambitions,” Mauresmo said in a statement posted on the tournament’s website. “I will carry them out with the same high standards, freedom and passion that have always driven me.”

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As a player, she stormed into her first major final as a teenager at the 1999 Australian Open, pioneering a new era of LGBTQ+ pride and acceptance when she came out as a lesbian following her stunning semifinal victory over Lindsay Davenport. She ascended to the top of the WTA rankings in 2004 and captured her two major titles in 2006 at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, winning 25 titles in total.

Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2016, Mauresmo has enjoyed a full career since retiring from the sport in 2009, working as France’s Billie Jean King Cup—and later Davis Cup—captain, and became one of the first women to coach a high-profile ATP tour player in Andy Murray. She also coached compatriot Marion Bartoli to a Wimbledon title in 2013 and ran the London Marathon in 2019.