The history of the first World Championship on clay in 1912, ancestor of Roland-Garros

2023-06-09T08:22:43.793Z

Highlights: In 1928, the first France Internationals open to foreigners, except Germans, launched the modern era of the Porte d'A tournament. That year, the Stade Français organized the very first edition of the World Clay Court Tennis Championship. The competition was invented by a certain Duane Williams, an American manufacturer of tennis balls. The latter regretted that clay specialists were at a disadvantage when they participated in tournaments mainly on grass, as at Wimbledon. The history of Roland-Garros and that of Stade Francais are closely linked.

In 1928, the first France Internationals open to foreigners, except Germans, launched the modern era of the Porte d'A tournament.