Planning row threatens to relocate French Open
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The French tennis federation (FFT) is considering whether to move the French Open from its Roland Garros home if an extension project at the venue does not get the go-ahead within a year.
The extension was agreed earlier this year and an architect was appointed but Paris City Council is now having second thoughts, FFT director general Gilbert Ysern said yesterday. "It seems that the mayor's entourage has become more hostile to our project – which was not the case when we launched it," Ysern said.
"Add to that the residents' opposition and we are now forced to look for other options, including that of leaving the premises."
Last May, tennis officials said a new centre court equipped with a retractable roof would be in use at Roland Garros for the French Open by 2013 or 2014.
Of the four Grand Slam events, the Australian Open has two courts with roofs, while Wimbledon's Centre Court unveiled its translucent retractable roof this year. Paris City Council and the French government were set to invest €20m (£18m) each in the project which is estimated to cost €120m. Officials at Paris city council could not be reached for comment.
Meanwhile, German player Tommy Haas has had to pull out of the Davidoff Swiss Indoors tournament in Basel after contracting swine flu. The 31-year-old consulted his doctor when he suffered flu-like symptoms, and he was diagnosed with the highly contagious H1N1 strain.
"I did a test because I suspected I had the swine flu and the test was positive," he said. "It was obviously a shock for me.
"[But] I am quite relaxed. I know that swine flu is a particularly strong form of flu, but when you are in a good physical condition like I am, then you can quickly overcome it."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments