French Open Faces Calls to Remove Courtside Boards After Sonmez Needs 2 Stitches
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 29
French Open Faces Calls to Remove Courtside Boards After Sonmez Needs 2 Stitches
6 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 29
Zeynep Sonmez retired from her French Open doubles match in the third game after tripping over a foot-high sponsorship board, bruising her knee and requiring two stitches.
Katie Boulter, who avoided injury in a similar incident a day earlier, said the advertisement blocks are an unnecessary hazard; Iga Swiatek and Marta Kostyuk also backed removing them.
The French Tennis Federation said Roland-Garros courts exceed minimum space requirements but is already making adjustments around the playing surface and staying in contact with players and teams.
Safety concerns have widened beyond the boards: Alexander Blockx withdrew earlier this week after spraining an ankle on a rain cover, while players have also complained that line judges on smaller courts create obstacles.
As injuries mount at Roland Garros, is the tournament prioritizing sponsors over the safety of its star players?
Will the French Open's safety crisis force a permanent change in how all major tennis tournaments are designed?