More Fun Facts

Who's that (French) Guy?

The French Open - also known as the Roland-Garros - is named after ... Roland Garros. While his name is most closely associated with tennis now, he was actually a world-famous aviator and World War I flying ace. He was the first to motor over the Mediterranean in 1913, using a Morane-Salnier Parasol monoplane. Even so, Roland Garros was also an avid sportsman and skilled tennis player.

How Do You Pronounce That in French?

The Roland-Garros is also home to the world's first - and only - Tenniseum, which opened in time for the 2003 tournament. The museum, open year-round, invites tennis fans to take an interactive journey through the history of French tennis ... and particularly the Open. It features permanent and rotating exhibitions, a multimedia area, a library, and a kids' section.

And "Speaking" of France

"Love" is the word when the score is zero - or goose egg - because it sounds like the French word for "egg": l'ouef.

Flyovers that Cha-Ching

When the U.S. Open moved to Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, N.Y., the USTA orchestrated a 99-year lease that fines New York for unnecessary flyovers by jets taking off from nearby LaGuardia Airport. Under the lease, the city is liable for up to $325,000 if planes disrupt the tournament. Then-New York Mayor David Dinkins was the architect of the lease - which has been credited with making the stadium possible - and who prompted John McEnroe to dub him "the best mayor for tennis."

That Early Tennis Musta Hurt!

While opinions vary on tennis' origin, a game resembling today"s version was played in 12th century France ... with bare hands. Eventually, as the game evolved, players began using gloves and later - as a forerunner to racquets - bats. In the early 17th century, English and French nobility took up the sport, which then looked very much like it does today. In fact, a court built in 1625 by Charles I is still used today for championship play. In 1876, the first court in the United States was built, followed by Australia"s debut venue in 1882. Before tennis traveled abroad to the U.S. and the land Down Under, the sport was played almost exclusively in England and France.

Billie Jean King as Pop Culture

Elton John has said that his 1975 #1 hit "Philadelphia Freedom" is a tribute to Billie Jean King. Oscar winner Holly Hunter played the tennis champ in the 2001 ABC telefilm "When Billie Beat Bobby," which dramatized King's 1973 on-court face-off against Bobby Riggs (played in the film by Ron Silver).