The illuminations on the Simonne-Mathieu court, at Roland Garros (photo illustration).

-

OPPO / AP / SIPA

The great revolution is drawing near.

During its next edition, which is due to start on Sunday, May 23, Roland-Garros will inaugurate its night sessions on the Philippe-Chatrier court.

One match per day, scheduled at 9 p.m., every evening of the first week until the quarter-finals.

This match will be broadcast by Amazon Prime Video, according to the tender that was concluded in 2019.

Two months from the deadline, the American platform announced on Monday the device it would set up for its first in the broadcasting of sport live in France.

The great figure recruited by Amazon is called Amélie Mauresmo.

Consultant at France Télévisions in recent years, the former world number 1 was convinced by the attraction of novelty.

"I am delighted to be part of this adventure this year," she commented at a press conference organized by Amazon.

It was a nice opportunity, you shouldn't miss this train.

"

"Attract a new clientele, sports enthusiasts, young people"

Roland is indeed entering "a new era", in the words of director Guy Forget, who also passed a head at this conference.

“A lot of people could not come because they were working, there they will be able to come and see the best matches, at 9 pm, in a special atmosphere, he explained.

And we will perhaps seduce a new clientele, sports enthusiasts, young people.

We know that they consume television and sport in different ways, we are counting a lot on this collaboration to attract a new audience.

"

The concept of the "night session", made possible by the installation of the roof on the Central last year, is eagerly awaited in any case.

“Something's going on in the evening.

We see it at the US Open or in Australia, they are often electric atmospheres, says Mauresmo.

It’s a bit of a mystery to know what it’s going to give Roland here, but I’m pretty confident.

We can't wait to find out.

"

To support it, Amazon called on many former consultants from Eurosport, which lost its broadcasting rights.

Other names have been added to the project, to make up a very dense team.

We will find there Marion Bartoli, Fabrice Santoro, Patrick Mouratoglou, Arnaud Clément or Paul-Henri Mathieu or Sarah Pitkowski.

The presentation of the programs, before and after the matches, will be entrusted to journalists Thibaut Le Rol and Clémentine Sarlat.

In addition to the evening games, Amazon will also broadcast all those from the Simonne-Mathieu court, as well as the semi-finals and finals of all the tables, in co-broadcasting with France Télévisions.

Sport

Roland-Garros: Night-time matches broadcast only on Amazon Prime in 2021

Sport

Coronavirus: "Why aren't you here?

», How athletes and journalists avoid the health crisis

  • Roland Garros

  • Amazon Prime Video

  • Tennis

  • Sport