Only 750 spectators, drawn at random, are allowed to attend Roland-Garros every day. RMC Sport went to meet these “lucky” few.
They were supposed to be 20,000, then 11,500, then 5,000. But following new announcements last week from Minister of Health Olivier Véran, only 1,000 spectators are allowed each day to take place around the clay courts of Roland-Garros. Once the guests have been removed from the total, only 750 people are drawn by lot, among all the ticket holders, to be able to enter the Porte d’Auteuil enclosure.
Obviously, this frustrates the “losers” of the draw, and it gives a somewhat gloomy spectacle, with almost empty stands. But not enough to dampen the morale of those present. On the contrary.
>>> Roland-Garros live
“It’s time to play the lotto”
“When I saw the email, that I was selected, I said ‘yes’, laughs Romain, enthusiastic despite the surrounding context. It may be our lucky week.” Marine approves: “It’s time to play the lottery”, smiles this spectator.
The advantage of only being a few hundred walking the aisles of Roland-Garros is that you are not bothered by the neighbors. “In fact we place ourselves where we want, explains to RMC Sport Mélanie, also drawn by lot. So we put ourselves squarely in the first row, we have the impression of being VIPs.”
It is true that we do not have every day the opportunity to see Rafael Nadal evolve a few meters away. So you might as well take advantage. “I said to myself that we were lucky, given the little crowds, observes Bénédicte. Unfortunately, it’s really a special year, but we will try to put a little atmosphere.” But that is not won …
