TENNIS in DEPTH.

The French Open could be forced into a “heartbreaking” move away from Paris in the next few years due to problems with the infrastructure at Roland Garros.

Organisers have long considered ways of extending the current stadia but these have stalled because of opposition from the public and environmentalists.

And tournament director Gilbert Ysern explained: “We have two options, make it bigger or move out.

“It would be heartbreaking to leave Paris but we have to consider it.”

A final decision on whether the tournament will remain in Paris is expected during a general assembly of the French Tennis Federation scheduled for next February.

But while the various extension plans have not been completely dismissed, organisers are now considering four possible new locations in the Paris suburbs, all over 15 kms away from the capital, including Versailles and Disneyland Paris.

“Over the last 10 years, the three other grand slam tournaments have progressed, notably in terms of infrastructure, but we haven’t,” Ysern added, referring to the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open.

“Roland Garros cannot stay the way it is.”

The French Open attracts 450,000 spectators during the fortnight it takes place, but Ysern revealed that world number one Roger Federer had given him a “long list of complaints” about the Paris tournament.

This year’s French Open runs from 24 May to 6 June.

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