At Roland-Garros
The health restrictions and the drop in the gauge from 5,000 to 1,000 spectators will still have made a few privileged this year at Roland Garros.
Despite the autumnal weather reigning over the capital, the exclusively French public strolling through the twelve hectares of the stadium and through completely empty alleys, benefit from a unique experience and exceptional conditions to attend the matches: free movement on all courts whatever. regardless of the ticket held, no queues and attentive staff.
"It's extraordinary, everything is accessible to us while the other years, the courts are almost all crowded with spectators."
“It's extraordinary, everything is accessible to us while the other years, the courts are almost all crowded with spectators.
It often takes patience to move from one game to another.
There, I have the impression that the people of the organization are much cooler with the rare spectators, ”enthuses Philippe, who has come from the north of France.
At his side, Nathalie is a little more divided even if the couple had the chance to access the boxes on the Philippe-Chatrier court, a rare privilege.
“This is probably the last time we will have access to these places.
But the atmosphere is still sad.
We had the impression that we barely had the right to applaud.
It's as if we risked being spotted, ”she explains.
"It's all the same a bit gloomy this atmosphere"
In the Philippe-Chatrier stadium on Tuesday, Marina and Franck tried to launch a clapping to lead the few hundred spectators present in the stands during the match between Thiem and Cilic.
In vain.
“We tried well but we were not taken back.
It is still a bit gloomy this atmosphere, especially when you come out in the aisles where all the stores are closed.
We find ourselves alone, there is not a noise.
We say to ourselves that we could have reached the 5000 spectators without a problem of respecting the distance, ”deplores Marina.
"I met Bernard Giudiccelli, the president of the French Tennis Federation, I felt him sad"
In the stands, isolated spectators enjoy a unique atmosphere at Roland-Garros.
“For anyone who really enjoys tennis, it's great.
These are conditions that we may never find again.
It's completely new.
All this space is pleasant for us but I am still divided on my feelings.
Moreover, I was able to meet Bernard Giudiccelli, the president of the Federation earlier, I felt him sad, a bit like all the people we meet, ”blows Raphaël, manager of a club in the Paris region.
Tickets that allow access to all the courts
A few meters away, at the foot of the giant screen installed on the Place des Mousquetaires, one of the lungs of the stadium deserted this year, Audrey and Sandra, from the Val d'Oise, wander around with a waffle in hand.
“The positive point is that we were able to see the matches up close and that we can choose any meeting without worrying about the wait.
The shops are closed, we don't care, we don't come for that.
But I'm still a little mixed on the general impression.
On the Philippe-Chatrier court, the atmosphere is very average.
We could even hear the rain falling on the roof… ”, emphasizes Audrey, who does not sulk her pleasure for long.
“My ticket has been validated and then canceled four times.
I am well aware of being privileged compared to all those who have had their seats canceled.
We will try to make the most of it. "
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