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The trophies are in sight


 

Originally published on 09/06/17 00:00

After 10 match wins in a row, Stan Wawrinka will be the oldest French Open finalist in 44 years. In a fiercely fought and thrilling face-off with Andy Murray, the world No.1 was beaten 6-7(6) 6-3 5-7 7-6(3) 6-1.

Likewise, the King of Clay broke Dominic Thiem’s serve again and again, winning in three sets 6-3 6-4 6-0.

 

The trophies have arrived

At 2:50pm on Saturday, the Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen, safely stored in its Louis Vuitton case, will be carried down to the front row of the Presidential Box. Alexander Skarsgard, a Swedish actor and star of the True Blood series, and Estelle Mossely, a boxer who won gold in Rio, will present the trophy.

On the following day, before the men’s final, the Coupe des Mousquetaires will arrive into the Presidential Box at 2:50pm. Also travelling by Louis Vuitton case, Nicole Kidman and Tony Estanguet will present the trophy. Kidman is an award-winning actress and received an Oscar for her role in the film, The Hours. Estanguet, a French slalom canoeist, has won three Olympic gold medals.

As for the designer travel cases, they have been handcrafted at Louis Vuitton Malletier’s workshop in Asnières. The terracotta-coloured interior reflects the clay surface and the “V” on the front is reminiscent of the lines on a tennis court.

Vik Muniz, the visual artist who created the 2017 Roland-Garros poster, will customise these two cases before the women’s and men’s singles finals.

 

Roland Garros goes worldwide

If the fans cannot come to Paris, Paris will go to the fans. Thanks to the “Roland-Garros in the City” initiative, the French Grand Slam will be setting up giant screens and food trucks in Shanghai and New York City.

From June 9 to 11, a screen streaming the matches will be free for visitors to enjoy at Brookfield Place in Lower Manhattan. Sponsored by Longines, BNP Paribas and Lacoste it is the first time New Yorkers can get involved in the Roland Garros spirit.

Since June 3, there has also been two Roland-Garros-decorated food trucks in NYC.

In China, a spacious mansion decked out in the style of the Roland Garros Village sponsored by Perrier and Longines are open to tennis fans and a French Open themed bus will be driving around the city’s streets.

 

Spotted

Watching the women’s semi-finals was Hugh Grant and girlfriend, Anna Eberstein. They were spotted on Thursday in the VIP seats on Philippe-Chatrier while enthralled by the Bacsinszky-Ostapenko showdown.

On Friday, the women’s finalist, Simona Halep, was courtside watching the men’s semi-finals. She was smiling and relaxed as she watched Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka play a particularly tense game.

 

Milos and coach go their separate ways

Milos Raonic has split with his coach, Richard Krajicek, after just six months under his guidance.

The world No.6 brought the 1996 Wimbledon champion on board last December but has now announced that it is all over between the pair.

The 26-year-old Canadian announced the split over Facebook, writing “My coach, Richard Krajicek, and I have decided to part ways. This decision has been a mutual one. I would like to thank Richard for his help with my game, his dedication and his professionalism. I wish him all the best.”

Raonic was knocked out of the French Open by Pablo Carreno Busta, the No.20 seed, in the fourth round of the tournament. Carreno Busta went on to face Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals.

 

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.