In the world before, this Roland-Garros 2020 would have rhymed with celebration, the year of the celebration of the centenary of the French Tennis Federation.
With the removable roof of the Philippe-Chatrier central court as a showcase, completely renovated.
But the health crisis that has ravaged the whole world since the start of 2020 has shaken everything up.
For the Spring Festival, we'll be back.
It was first necessary to save the essentials, no matter what: the tournament and its annual turnover of 261 million euros, or 80% of the FFT's revenue (325 M € in 2019).
"It was impossible for us that there was no 2020 edition of the Roland-Garros tournament," says Figaro Bernard Giudicelli, the president.
It is the heart of the federation which allows us, among other things, to continue to invest in clubs.
It was the social and economic vitality of French tennis that was called into question.
We behaved as a good father and responsible leaders.
>> READ ALSO -
Roland-Garros: "The gauge is 1000", confirms Jean Castex
What we will remember is resilience on the one hand, and responsibility on the other.
“On March 17, when France officially begins its containment and the world circuit is at a standstill, the FFT surprises everyone by announcing the postponement of the French Open, from spring to fall.
“We gave ourselves a chance to save the 2020 edition by repositioning it in the second half of the year.
We had a meeting with our general manager (Jean-François Vilotte) and I made the final decision.
It was then communicated to ATP and WTA, and then to other Grand Slam tournaments.
“Many players in the circuit were then offended by this unilateral choice.
“We understood very early on that the calendar in its initial state no longer existed.
We assumed that this decision could raise criticism.
Time has proven us right.
It is around Roland-Garros that the calendar has been reorganized.
"
From 20,000 spectators hoped for in early July, they rose to 11,500 divided between the three main courts, then resolved to go down to 5,000, then to 1,000 ...
Once the TV rights and television advertising were secured - through the display of brands on the courts, which accounts for more than a third of the tournament's revenue (36%, around € 90m) -, there remained outstanding, among others, the question of the spectator gauge.
The ticket office representing 18 to 20% (45 M € in 2019) of revenue, this soap opera has punctuated the last weeks.
While the health situation has deteriorated in the country, the organizers have continued to revise their ambitions downwards.
From 20,000 spectators hoped for in early July, they rose to 11,500 divided between the three main courts, then resolved to go down to 5,000, then to 1,000, as we revealed in our columns on Thursday.
The FFT was satisfied, Friday, to “deeply regret” the decision of the authorities to apply this minimum gauge.
But the pill goes badly.
>> READ ALSO -
Roland-Garros: in what state of form are the French?
Asked Friday about the economic impact of this unprecedented situation, Stéphane Morel, deputy general manager of the marketing and economic development department of the FFT, breathed: “We are in the process of quantifying, but tens of millions of euros are went up in smoke.
Small consolation: there will be no total closed door as at the US Open.
“The camera was used a bit like a scarecrow.
It was an unthinkable option, assures Giudicelli.
The fundamental of a tennis tournament is a player and the audience.
But he will be very thin.
The big ocher meeting will inevitably suffer in terms of the atmosphere with 15,000 spectators welcomed over the entire fortnight instead of 520,000 in 2019 ...
Faithful partners
While in this context, hospitality services have been abolished, the president of the FTT prefers to stress: “The most important thing is that the major players in the ecosystem have always supported us.
The partners are there and have remained loyal (65 M € in revenue in 2019).
The tournament will be broadcast in 222 countries.
All draws will be played except for the Legends Tournament.
The “prize money” will correspond to 90% of what we distributed in 2019. We increased it by 30% for the qualifications and the first rounds in order to help these players who particularly suffer from having been deprived of the game. for five months.
It is our role as a major tournament to allow all the populations of the tournament (coaches, referees, physiotherapists ...) to live and continue their profession.
Willy-nilly, while waiting for better days ...
Read also
Roland Garros: Federer, Tsonga, Osaka ... they will be missing in 2020
