PARIS - New Roland Garros Center Court (14,600)

[Jex7844]

Who is 'they'...?

[Kalzu]

Originally Posted by Jex7844

Who is 'they'...?

I had just meant why wouldn't it be possible to play under lights at Roland Garros without a roof.

[Jex7844]

The answer is in my previous post dude (#59):

Furthermore, there aren't spotlights to carry on playing, which is actually hard to understand in 2012, as if the Federation could not afford that...

It would be possible but the Federation has never invested in spotlights...so, no artificial light = no play.

[Kalzu]

Originally Posted by Jex7844

The answer is in my previous post dude (#59):



It would be possible but the Federation has never invested in spotlights...so, no artificial light = no play.

I know that, but I meant this:

Originally Posted by Jex7844

So, why the retractable roof couldn't be built so that spotlights wouldn't require closing the roof?

At Australian Open you don't have to close the retractable roof even if you play under spotlights. Wimbledon's Centre Court requires closing the roof because of the humidity after sunset, but that's a problem only on grass courts. At least Rome's Masters event can have playing on clay courts under lights without a roof.

[Andre_idol]

Perhaps it has to do with the type of roof they chose. Although Rome has you mentioned has that lights (in my point of view very weak) the plan of that complex was (still is?) also to have a roof. I believe the Caja Magica in the Madrid Masters also does not require the roof closed for lighting.

[Jex7844]

Originally Posted by Kalzu

So, why the retractable roof couldn't be built so that spotlights wouldn't require closing the roof?

Well, the roof isn't built yet & I don't know in which conditions the night session matches will take place from 2017. Though, I personally doubt they will be played with the roof off owing to the nimbys...keep in mind that Roland Garros is the only Grand Slam tournament to be located in the heart of the city...I'm not quite sure those dear nimbys would appreciate to hear 15 000 people cheering & applausing up to 2am if the roof was opened...

[Andre_idol]

Make it like Wimbledon...fun´s over at 11pm.

[Kalzu]

Originally Posted by Jex7844

Well, the roof isn't built yet & I don't know in which conditions the night session matches will take place from 2017. Though, I personally doubt they will be played with the roof off owing to the nimbys...keep in mind that Roland Garros is the only Grand Slam tournament to be located in the heart of the city...I'm not quite sure those dear nimbys would appreciate to hear 15 000 people cheering & applausing up to 2am if the roof was opened...

Also, as the quote was "We will therefore have evening sessions in indoor, because at this time of year you cannot play outdoors at a late hour", I still wonder if Paris nights in May/June would be too cold. But noise may well be a reason, too. I just hope matches can continue past 11pm unlike in Wimbledon.

[Jex7844]

March 1, 2013

The planned renovation of Roland Garros has been blocked after a Paris tribunal on Friday sided with local residents who complained the development could harm the environment.

The home of the French Open is undergoing an expansion that was scheduled to be completed in 2017, with plans including a retractable roof over the center court.

However, the Administrative Court of Paris ordered the plans to be stopped, ruling in favor of three local associations who had expressed concern about the impact on the environment, especially a nearby botanical garden.

The French Tennis Federation, whose plans were approved by the city government two years ago, said it noted the decision "with astonishment" and would appeal.

The tribunal ordered local authorities to cancel its agreement with the federation within two months.

I'm so pissed off with those damned associations...now the whole project is going to be heavily delayed (several years)...

The new Roland Garros is far, very far from coming true...we'll have to be extremely patient before making the most of night session matches (among others...)

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/510126...sports-tennis/