Between a continuing health crisis and an appalling weather forecast, the 2020 edition of Roland-Garros in the era of the coronavirus promises to be very special.
The reduction of the gauge to 1,000 spectators has darkened the picture a little more.
But the experts of the courts announce it: this edition will be unpublished.
The kick-off of Roland-Garros is imminent.
But on Sunday and in the coming tournament days, few spectators will be able to witness the exploits of the best tennis players in the world.
Far from the 20,000 spectators per day welcomed in other years, only a thousand spectators will be able to go to Porte d'Auteuil.
To this unprecedented context, we must add the rain expected all week, which could upset the program as well as the ambient humidity which will change the consistency of the clay and therefore the way of playing.
The 2020 edition of Roland Garros may well have some surprises in store, says tournament director Guy Forget.
"Hydrometry and heat can change the bounce of the ball"
"The playing conditions will be different because you play a little later in the season and the hydrometry and the heat can change the bounce of the ball a bit," said the former tennis player.
According to him, these new playing conditions could influence the podium.
"We know that Nadal plays with extremely pronounced effects which will perhaps be less marked this year. Finally, isn't there someone who will try to surprise him? We have seen boys who start to believe it! "
>> Find Europe morning weekend in podcast and in replay here
The suspense is even greater among the women, as no player seems to come off as a favorite.
This Roland-Garros 2020 will undoubtedly be unlike any other tournament in history.