Why the French Open is named after Roland Garros, who didn't play tennis
The French Open, officially named after Roland Garros, is a prominent tennis tournament held in Paris. Garros was an aviation pioneer and World War I fighter pilot, with no known ties to tennis. His name was chosen for the tournament's venue in 1928, a decade after his death, due to his status as a national hero.
- ▪Roland Garros was an aviation pioneer and World War I fighter pilot.
- ▪He was not an avid tennis player and had no direct connection to the sport.
- ▪The French Open is named after Garros because he was a national hero in France.
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| Original publisher | NPR — World |
| Canonical URL | https://www.npr.org/2026/05/26/nx-s1-5834922/roland-garros-french-open-namesake |
| Publication time | Tue, 26 May 2026 14:08:00 -0400 |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Sports Why the French Open is named after Roland Garros, who didn't play tennis May 26, 20262:08 PM ET By Rachel Treisman French aviator Roland Garros pictured in the cockpit of an aircraft in 1911. Branger/Getty Images/Hulton Archive hide caption toggle caption Branger/Getty Images/Hulton Archive The second tennis Grand Slam tournament of the year is underway in Paris: the French Open, as many English-speakers call it. But the official name of the tournament — and the complex where it takes place — is Roland Garros. Many tennis tournaments are named after famous players, like the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup. Sports The French Open courts are clay, a tricky surface for some.
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