France, the host nation of Roland Garros, has seen a decline in clay courts for tennis development, with hard courts becoming more prevalent. This shift is suggested by some as a factor in the poor performance of French players at the Paris Grand Slam.

Efforts to expand tennis in France have seen hard courts gradually replace clay in the land of Roland Garros, leaving the iconic slippery surface to a select few – and, according to some, contributing to the home players’ miserable run at the Paris Grand Slam tournament.