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Roland Garros gets new greenhouse-flanked tennis court in controversial development
French design practice Marc Mimram have completed a new tennis court for the Stade Roland Garros in Paris.
The 5,000-seat Court Simonne-Mathieu is flanked by four greenhouses to camouflage its bulk and ensure it blends in to the site, which is within the 120-year-old Serres d'Auteuil botanical gardens, adjacent to the main Roland Garros complex.
The facility is named after the eponymous female tennis champion.
According to the architects, Court Simonne-Mathieu was designed to create a "dialogue" between the earth and sky.
"Given its dual botany- and sports-aspects, this project could serve as a future reference for the relationship between high-level sports and the environment," they explained.
Financed by the French Tennis Federation, the project has been in the works for two years.
Court Simonne-Mathieu is set to host its first match when the French Open commences on Sunday 26 May.
![The newly created greenhouses are part of a botanical project to explore the flora of America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. / Photo by Camille Gharbi The newly created greenhouses are part of a botanical project to explore the flora of America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. / Photo by Camille Gharbi](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH341926_332865_102995.jpg)
![The Court Simonne-Mathieu is flanked by four conservatories. / Photo by Camille Gharbi The Court Simonne-Mathieu is flanked by four conservatories. / Photo by Camille Gharbi](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH341926_630756_358728.jpg)
![The stadium will host its first match on Sunday. / Photo by Camille Gharbi The stadium will host its first match on Sunday. / Photo by Camille Gharbi](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH341926_946630_598716.jpg)
![The expansive campus is home to 500 species of plants. / Photo by Camille Gharbi The expansive campus is home to 500 species of plants. / Photo by Camille Gharbi](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH341926_161955_180331.jpg)
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