Top-Ten Facts About French Open
The French Open 2015 starts from Sunday (May 24) and will see superstars of international tennis fight it out for the title and glory.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: May 24, 2015 08:24 AM IST
![Top-Ten Facts About French Open](https://s.ndtvimg.com/images/content/2015/may/806/roland-garros.jpg)
Ten facts on the French Open which gets underway at Roland Garros on Sunday:
Number one not always top dog
- The top men's seed has won the title on just 13 occasions in the 47 Roland Garros tournaments played since 1968. This is the least successful performance by the top seed at any of the Grand Slam events. The number one seed has won the title at Roland Garros on just two occasions in the last 13 years, with Rafael Nadal triumphing in 2011 and 2014.
No place like home
- Since 1946, Yannick Noah is the only Frenchman to win his home Slam, lifting the title in 1983. In fact, he is the only French Grand Slam men's singles champion in the Open Era. The last French finalist at Roland Garros was Henri Leconte in 1988.
Young and old
- At 36 years, 192 days Radek Stepanek is the oldest man in the men's singles draw this year, while US wild card Frances Tiafoe, aged 17 years, 138 days, is the youngest. Tiafoe is one of seven teenagers to start the men's main draw -- the highest number of teenagers at Roland Garros since 2007.
Senior service
- There are 39 men aged 30 or over to start this year's Roland Garros main draw. This is a record for the most 30-somethings to start in the main draw at a Grand Slam. The previous highest number was 38 at 2014 Roland Garros.
Roger that
- Roger Federer is playing in his 64th Grand Slam event at 2015 Roland Garros. In the absence of Lleyton Hewitt in Paris, he takes sole occupancy of second place for the most Grand Slams played in the Open Era. France's Fabrice Santoro holds the record with 70.
Boys to men
- Only five of the 68 different Roland Garros boys' champions have gone on to win the men's singles title -- Ken Rosewall, Roy Emerson, Andres Gimeno, Mats Wilander and Ivan Lendl
Schiavone streak
- The 2010 women's champion Francesca Schiavone has not missed a major since her Grand Slam debut at the 2000 US Open. Roland Garros 2015 will mark the Italian's 59th consecutive appearance at a major.
Power of one
- World number one Serena Williams has only lost in the first round of a Grand Slam once -- against Virginie Razzano at the French Open in 2012. The American has won her other 58 first round matches at the majors.
Mighty Maria
- Maria Sharapova has played the most matches (60) at Roland Garros among active women players.
Prize guys and gals
- The men's and women's champions in 2015 will receive 1,800,000 euros ($1.9 million each).