​Paris is ready to celebrate as Roland Garros 2023 takes place on the grand opening day of the singles main draw. Since the first edition seen on the site (No. 2018), a lot has changed in tennis, but especially in the Porte d’Auteuil complex.

What the world of tennis looked like at Roland Garros in 2018

• In the women’s table, among the top 20 favorites were such players as Simona Halep (1 – temporarily suspended for doping), Caroline Wozniacki (2 – retired from tennis), Garbiñe Muguruza (3 – temporarily retired from tennis), Venus Williams (she will June 17, 43 years old, 695th in singles, one step behind her), Julia Goerges (11 – retired), Ashley Barty (17 – retired when she was world No. 1), Magdalena Rybarikova (19 – finished tennis) and Anastasia Sevastova (20 – finished tennis).

• Maria Sharapova was also the 28th favorite in Paris five years ago.

• Among the top 20 favorites at Roland Garros were players such as Juan Martin del Potro (6), Kevin Anderson (7), Tomas Berdych (17) and Kei Nishikori (19). All are currently inactive.

• Dominic Thiem was the best representative of the new generation, giving Nadal and Djokovic a hard time on clay. In fact, the Austrian played in the finals in 2018 and 2019 in Paris, losing to Rafa each time.

• Currently, Dominic is still trying to return, so far without success, to the top of the world hierarchy. The Austrian had his last notable result at the US Open-2020 (he won the only Grand Slam tournament in his resume).

Philippe Chatrier Arena (the largest in the complex) did not have a nightclub or a roof, Roland Garros was at the time the only Grand Slam tournament that did not have these facilities.

• Olena Ostapenko was the defending champion, the Latvian winning after an impressive comeback (0-1 in sets and 0-3 in games) against Simona Halep.

• Arena “Arena” (at that time the third largest) existed in 2018. After the 2019 edition, it was demolished, and the organizers put another stadium in its place: Court Simonne Mathieu (5,000 seats).

• In 2018, the total amount of prizes announced by the organizers was 39,197,000 euros. In just five years, the total amount offered by the French is 49,600,000 euros.

• In 2018, Halep and Nadal (the big winners) cashed a check for €2.2 million. At this year’s event, those who lift the singles trophy will go home with €2.3 million each.

• Among those forced to withdraw from the 2018 tournament were Roger Federer (now retired), Jeong Hyun (unranked) and Milos Raonic (inactive).

• In 2018, high-profile female athletes such as Serena Williams, Agnieszka Radwanska and Monica Puig (all of whom have since left the sport) announced their retirement in 2018.

Confidence in Roland Garros in 2023

• This will be the first time since 2005 (the year of his debut in Paris) that Rafael Nadal will not compete at Roland Garros. Forced to announce his defeat due to a hip injury (from Australian Open 2023), Rafa has 14 titles on Paris soil: 112 wins and 3 losses (97% win percentage).

• Simona Halep will miss Paris for the second time in the last 13 years. The first time was at the 2021 competition (she was injured), and this year she was temporarily disqualified for doping.

• Halep won the title in 2018 during her performances on Paris soil, and also participated in two other finals: 2014 (lost to Maria Sharapova) and 2017 (lost to Elena Ostapenko).

Comparison of Roland Garros 2018 and Roland Garros 2023

Below is a selection of photos taken at the Roland Garros complex at the 2018 edition, which saw Simona Halep and Rafael Nadal dominate on the Paris clay. Meanwhile, Simona is provisionally banned for doping and Rafa is out for the first time since 2005 (his first title) due to injury.

Roland Garros 2018

Roland Garros 2023

In 2023, the Roland Garros complex shows itself at a high level. Since the publication five years ago, a lot has changed in the Porte d’Auteuil complex.

The entire complex has been reimagined, the Philippe Chatrier Arena (the largest in the complex) has a new look, a retractable roof and a nightclub, thus leaving behind the old central arena, which hosted the last final in the 2018 edition (Simon Halep beat Sloane Stephens and Rafael Nadal won Dominic Thima).

In addition, the Suzanne Lenglen (the second largest arena in the complex) is getting ready to get a roof and already has a significantly changed look compared to years past.

In addition, the famous Bullring (round arena) no longer exists, in its place there is a small park where spectators can sit in the sun and watch the matches from all the arenas of the Paris complex.