Why is the France Open called Roland Garros?

Despite being played for the first time in 1891, the France open I would just receive his Current name in 1928in mode of Tribute to a national herothat would be immortalized in the prestigious tournament.

The first 37 editions of the competition would be held in different locations until the indispensable construction of a Stadium with greater capacityafter the feat of the “Four musketeers“, made up of Jean Bortra, Jacques Brugnon, Henri Cartt and René Lacosta, in 1927when they would defeat USA as a visitor to lift the Davis Cupcompetition they should defend at home the following year.

Consequently, the president of the Stade Francais club, Émile lesieurwould give three hectares to allow the work west of Paris, although with the condition that the track carried the denomination of its late friend Eugéne Adrien Roland Georges Garros, Aviation pilot French and deceased in 1918, five weeks before the end of the World War I.

Born in Saint-Denis, a tropical meeting island, in October 1888, Garros would become a Authentic pioneer In the matter by breaking the Height record in 1911reaching 3,950 meters, and transform into 1913 in it First man to cross the Mediterranean Sea without scalesexperience that he would travel 756 kilometers in eight hours, prior to landing practically without fuel in Tunisia.

However, the tennis fan would show his commitment and love for the homeland At the beginning of the war conflict, when it would entrust their services to the allies to contribute to important triumphs until 1915being demolished by a German attackwho would imprison for three years in a Magdeburg prison until he managed to flee in 1918.

The story would be repeated a few months later although without the same fortunebecause he would suffer another German offensive, this time in the Ardenas, in October, losing his life to become a national legend.

In this way, the French would challenge logic by lifting a cement court for 10000 spectators In less than a year, surrendering tribute To Roland Garros when giving him the designation not only of the stadium but of tournament.

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