The French Open is the second Grand Slam event to take place in the calendar year and was founded in the year 1891. It is the second oldest Major that is played regularly every season and all prominent players from both the men’s and women’s side of the sport.

With the French Open 2021 about to begin, let’s take a look at some interesting revelations regarding the event. The last time the event in Roland Garros was canceled was in 1940, due to World War 2. And that is the last time Roland Garros was scratched off the tennis calendar.

French Open was canceled during the World Wars

Although the war lasted from 1939 and lasted till 1945, the event still continued after it was canceled for one year in 1940. The tournament took place from 1941 onwards but it was not recognized by the French governing body at that time.

The World War, to date, remains one of the worst phases in humanity. Besides 1940, the tournament was not allowed to be conducted from 1915 to 1919 due to World War 1. 

However, in the last season, the tournament was rescheduled due to the ongoing global pandemic. It is usually held in the last week of May and is summed up in the first week of June. In 2020, the event was played from September 27th and was over on October 11th. 

In the last season, Rafael Nadal lifted his 13th Roland Garros title after beating Novak Djokovic convincingly. In women’s, Polish teenager Iga Swiatek won her first-ever Grand Slam title. 

This year, the French Open is scheduled to begin on the 31st of May and will finish on the 13th of June. This year too, Roland Garros was delayed by a week as the battle with the coronavirus pandemic still continues. It will be interesting to see who emerges victorious at this year’s Grand Slam tournament. 

Also Read: “Not Looking to Compete Straight Against Them”: Roger Federer on Playing Against Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic