New French Open court unveiled as prize money increases

Inside view of a greenhouse at the botanical garden "Jardin des Serres d'Auteuil" in Paris, France, March 21, 2019. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

PARIS (Reuters) - French Open organisers on Thursday unveiled the brand new Court Simonne Mathieu, hoping the 5,000-seat arena will boost the tournament's atmosphere as they raised the prize money by more than eight percent.

Named after France's second-most decorated female player, the arena is nestled among the area's graceful 19-century greenhouses.

The prize money has been raised from 39.2 million euros (£34 million) up to 42.6 million, with the singles' winners each earning a cheque of 2.3 million euros.

Former French Nicolas Sarkozy, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, French Tennis Federation president Bernard Giudicelli and Paris 16th district mayor Daniele Giazzi attend the opening ceremony of the new court Simonne Mathieu at Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, March 21, 2019. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

Tournament director Guy Forget doesn't yet know which players will be the first to step onto the brand new court when the French Open starts on May 26, but he is certain the arena will be worthy of the occasion.

"Wimbledon, the U.S. and Australian Open spread out, they have facilities that are more modern, more comfortable, we were a bit lagging behind," Forget said.

"Thanks to this court and the stadium that has been growing in size, we will be able to welcome all the fans in perfect conditions."

Inside view of a greenhouse at the botanical garden " Jardin des Serres d'Auteuil" in Paris, France, March 21, 2019. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

Concern for the greenhouses was at the heart of the fierce opposition the French Tennis Federation faced when it announced the revamp, because the plan involved expanding the venue into the picturesque Serres d'Auteuil.

The famed botanical garden is home to 6,000 square meters of greenhouses built in 1898 and contain works by the sculptor Auguste Rodin, and the Roland Garros expansion has added more than 1,300 sqm of greenhouses to the existing ones.

The centre court, Court Philippe Chatrier, has been partially restored before being equipped with a retractable roof for the 2020 edition.

View of the main greenhouse at the botanical garden "Jardin des Serres d'Auteuil" in Paris, France, March 21, 2019. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Christian Radnedge)

A woman looks at the officiel poster of the 2019 French Open by Spanish artist Jose Maria Sicilia unveiled at Roland Garros tennis stadium in Paris, France, March 21, 2019. REUTERS/Charles Platiau NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES

Greenhouses are seen around the new tennis court Simonne Mathieu by architect Marc Mimram during its opening ceremony at Roland Garros tennis stadium in Paris, France, March 21, 2019. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

People walk around the new tennis court Simonne Mathieu by architect Marc Mimram during its opening ceremony at Roland Garros tennis stadium in Paris, France, March 21, 2019. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

Overall view of the new tennis court Simonne Mathieu by architect Marc Mimram during its opening ceremony at Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, March 21, 2019. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

Greenhouses are seen around the new tennis court Simonne Mathieu by architect Marc Mimram during its opening ceremony at Roland Garros tennis stadium in Paris, France, March 21, 2019. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

Greenhouses are seen around the new tennis court Simonne Mathieu by architect Marc Mimram during its opening ceremony at Roland Garros tennis stadium in Paris, France, March 21, 2019. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

Overall view of the new tennis court Simonne Mathieu by architect Marc Mimram during its opening ceremony at Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, March 21, 2019. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

BNP Paribas Chief Executive Officer Jean-Laurent Bonnafe and French Tennis Federation President Bernard Giudicelli attend the opening ceremony of the new court Simonne Mathieu at Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, March 21, 2019. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo attends the opening ceremony of the new court Simonne Mathieu at Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, March 21, 2019. REUTERS/Charles Platiau