The French Open was first played way back in 1891, when it was somewhat exotically referred to as the Championnat de France International de Tennis.

After the legendary Mousquetaires comprising René Lacoste, Jean Borotra, Henri Cochet, and Jacques Brugnon claimed the Davis Cup on American soil in 1927, the French decided to defend the Cup in 1928 at a new tennis stadium at Porte d'Auteuil.

The tennis authorities were offered three hectares of land with the condition that the new stadium must be named after the World War I pilot, Roland Garros. The new Stade de Roland Garros and its famous red clay courts were duly built, and its Centre Court hosted the return Davis Cup tie.

The French Open swiftly grew in stature, with players either loving or hating the clay surface with its unique demands on competitors.

The tournament achieved a notable first in 1968, when it became the first of the Grand Slam events to allow both amateur and professional players to compete.

These days its sporting reputation is matched by its reputation for attracting the glamorous to courtside, invariably sporting sunglasses and supping from a champagne flute. But, as ever, the tennis is the number one attraction at Roland Garros.