User:Don Lope/Sandbox French Open

The French Open,^[a] known originally as the Internationaux de France^[2] is an annual tennis tournament created in 1891 and played on outdoor red clay courts at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France.^[3] The men's singles was the first event contested in 1891.^[4] The French Open is played during two weeks in late May, early June, and has been chronologically the second of the four Grand Slam tournaments of the tennis season since 1987. The event was not held from 1915 to 1919 because of World War I, and officially from 1940 to 1945 because of World War II.^[5]

The Racing Club de France and and the Stade Français of Paris alternatively held the event, until competition was moved in 1928 to the newly-built Stade Roland Garros. Until 1924, the tournament was reserved to French tennis clubs members, the first edition opened to international players taking place in 1925.^[6] From 1941 to 1945, the Vichy regime requisitioned the site and held a Tournoi de France, for French players only, won twice by Bernard Destremau and thrice by Yvon Petra. Those editions are counted out of the tournament's history.^[7][8]

The men's singles' rules have undergone several changes since the first edition. The event has always been contested in a knockout format. Records show matches were played at the best-of-three sets format until 1902 or 1903, and at the best-of-five afterwards, except from 1973 to 1975, when early rounds were played at the best-of-three. The lingering death best-of-twelve points tie-break was introduced in 1973 for the first four sets.^[9]

The champion receives a miniature replica of the silver-gilt Coupe des Mousquetaires, named after the The Four Musketeers of French tennis; Jean Borotra, Jacques Brugnon, Henri Cochet and René Lacoste.^[10] In 2009, the winner received prize money of €1,060,000.^[11]

Max Decugis (winner, 1903–1904, 1907–1909, 1912–1914) holds the all-time record for most titles in the men's singles with eight victories, however all his wins came when the tournament was reserved to French tennis club members. With the tournament an international competition, the record for most titles stands at six, and is held by Björn Borg (1974–1975, 1978–1981). The all-time record for most consecutive titles, at four, is co-held by Paul Aymé (1897–1900, all titles within the club members only format), Björn Borg (1978–1981) and Rafael Nadal (2005–2008).^[5][9]