French Open's Namesake Was a Record-Setting Aviator and World War I Pilot
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The Roland Garros tennis stadium, home of the French Open, is named for a pioneering French aviator and World War I fighter pilot. Roland Garros set early altitude records, completed the first flight across the Mediterranean, and developed early aircraft weaponry before being killed in action in 1918. The tournament bearing his name runs through June 7.
Facts First
- The French Open is held at the Roland Garros complex, the second Grand Slam tournament of the year.
- The stadium was named in 1928 for Roland Garros, a former classmate of the rugby club president who proposed the honor.
- Garros was a pioneering aviator, setting altitude records and completing the first flight across the Mediterranean Sea in 1913.
- He was a World War I fighter pilot who helped develop a mechanism to shoot machine guns through propeller blades and was credited with shooting down four German aircraft.
- Garros was killed in action in October 1918, one day before his 30th birthday, after escaping from a prisoner-of-war camp.
What Happened
The Roland Garros tennis stadium in Paris, which hosts the French Open Grand Slam tournament, was named in 1928 for Roland Garros, a pioneering aviator and World War I fighter pilot. Garros set altitude records in 1911 and 1912 and, in September 1913, became the first person to fly across the Mediterranean Sea. During World War I, he developed a method of allowing machine guns to fire through a plane's propeller. After being shot down and held as a prisoner of war for three years, he escaped, returned to combat, and was killed in action in October 1918.
Why this Matters to You
If you are watching the French Open, the venue is named for a figure of historical significance beyond sports. The name connects a major cultural event to France's aviation history and its experience in World War I. The main airport on Réunion island also bears his name, indicating his lasting legacy in French territory.
What's Next
The French Open tournament at the Roland Garros complex continues through June 7. The story of its namesake may be highlighted during broadcasts or in related historical features.