With Roland Garros beginning in late September, there are a number of factors related to seasonal climate and conditions that pose new implications for everyone involved. That the tournament is played on clay makes the environment-tennis connection even more significant than if it were played on a hard court, potentially affecting everything from how the courts play, to how the ball looks, to fitness and scheduling.
"It’s amazing how the surface changes with humidity, moisture, rain—everything," says 1993 Roland Garros men’s doubles champion Luke Jensen.
"There has to be some susceptibility to some bad weather that time of year," says Todd Martin, CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Martin also has the rare experience of having competed at Roland Garros in September, back in 2002, when the U.S. Davis Cup team traveled there for a tie versus France. ("I do remember it being a bit chilly," he says.)
"For all of these events, organizers really would like some added confidence in knowing what to do," says Dan Slagen, chief marketing officer for Boston-based ClimaCell, a weather intelligence platform that works with many sports organizations, including the US Open. ClimaCell is currently helping many organizers prepare for the current wave of rescheduled events.
Here’s a look at many factors that could impact Roland Garros, highlighted by extensive data compiled by ClimaCell.
May-JuneSeptember-October
Average High Average High
- 68 degrees Fahrenheit + 70 degrees Fahrenheit
Average Low Average Low
- 50 degrees Fahrenheit + 55 degrees Fahrenheit
Implication
In theory, not much different. Patrick McEnroe, U.S. Davis Cup captain at that 2002 tie, notes that, "The sun is different, and later in the day, it will get cooler, which could slow things down and make it a little heavier."
May-JuneSeptember-October
Average per day Average per day
- 1 mm per hour + 3 mm per hour
- maximum seen: 7.5 mm per hour + maximum seen: 14 mm per hour
Implication
This could be the biggest game-changer. In recent years, rain has only sporadically intruded on Roland Garros (save for 2016, when many days were extensively interrupted).
"Clay is the only surface you can keep playing on," says Jensen. "It’s got to be a downpour to stop. If it’s a mild drizzle, you play through it. But if there’s more rain, it gets you on edge more, wondering when you’re going to eat, warm up, stretch, practice."
According to McEnroe, thicker conditions might help a player like John Isner with his movement.
"When it’s drier," says McEnroe, "you have to move quicker."
Slagen notes that, “If there’s more rain, you’ll need to understand the court conditions. When do you need to tarp the courts? What’s tomorrow going to look like?”
But then there is also the new roof on Court Philippe-Chatrier that will make it possible to continue playing at least some matches, should there be rain so heavy that play must cease on the outer courts. As is the case at all majors, it’s best for such delays to happen during the second week, when there are far fewer matches.