Paris taxi drivers vow to disrupt French Open as protests escalate
They have been gathering at landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe and blocking roads while honking horns and flashing their car lights.
The French Open begins on Sunday.
'If the government doesn't listen, we'll take care of Roland-Garros,' Emmanuelle Cordier, president of the National Taxi Federation, said on Saturday, just hours before a meeting with the prime minister and transport minister.
The drivers are unhappy with new medical transport rules and competition from ride-hailing apps.
Their movement has spread beyond the capital. Drivers in cities like Marseille and Perpignan in the south of France have joined the demonstrations.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Two-time Wimbledon champion retiring to ‘totally different life' after horror knife attack left irreversible damage
PETRA KVITOVA is set to retire after the US Open... nine years on from the horror knife attack that left her career hanging in the balance. Two-time former Wimbledon champion Kvitova, 35, has been a popular figure on the WTA Tour for more than a decade. 3 Petra Kvitova is set to call time on her brilliant career Credit: Getty 3 Kvotova, 35, was shockingly attacked in her own home in December 2016 Credit: AP:Associated Press In December 2016, Kvitova was shockingly attacked in her own home by a man purporting to be a utility worker. The Czech star suffered a deep laceration in her left hand and required urgent, career-saving surgery. Five months of intense rehabilitation followed, before Kvitova was able to launch the start of what she calls her "second career" at the French Open in 2017. The big-hitting lefty has since enjoyed a "second career" that most players would envy. She reached the Australian Open final in 2019, narrowly losing in three sets to an inspired Naomi Osaka, before battling to the semis at the 2020 French Open. Kvitova has won an incredible 31 career titles, including 12 since her traumatic knife attack. In 2024 she took a break from the rigours of life on tour to have her first child, with son Petr born in July of last year. The inspirational star returned to action earlier this year, but is now to call time on her brilliant career at the US Open. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Reflecting on her journey back to the top of the sport ahead of her final tournament, Kvitova told The Guardian: "I knew I was a big fighter on the court but at that time I realised how I am an even bigger fighter in a totally different version of myself. "That was great, even though it was very tough to play tennis. I cried on the court, I had really bad flashbacks, I was having nightmares. Two-time champion Petra Kvitova, 35, bursts into tears after ending Wimbledon career in worst possible way "So it really wasn't easy. It took a while, but it's all good now. There was a big question mark, can I play tennis or not? "And I could. It was my second career. It was amazing." On her motivations for hanging up her racquet, Kvitova added: "I'm totally ready. I'm not regretting anything. "I still love tennis but everything else, waiting for the practices, waiting for the car, waiting for a match, it's just tiring. "And having a son, it's a totally different life. I just want to spend more time with him as well." New York will next week have a chance to wave goodbye to truly one of the great players of the last decade, and arguably the most inspirational.
Scottish Sun
20 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Coco Gauff shockingly fires coach just hours before start of US Open
The tennis ace has seen flaws in her game that she clearly wants to change GAU-OFF Coco Gauff shockingly fires coach just hours before start of US Open Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) COCO GAUFF has shockingly fired her coach just days before the start of the US Open. The two-time Grand Slam winner has been working with Matt Daly and J.C. Faurel. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Coco Gauff was hitting on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday morning Credit: Getty 2 Gauff is understood to have made the major change just hours before US Open starts Credit: Getty She stormed to French Open success with the duo just months ago. However, she has now decided to part ways with Daly. "Only have good things to say about Coco, enjoyed working with her," he said. World No3 Gauff has replaced him with biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan. She has struggled with her serve since the first-round defeat at Wimbledon last month. And the 21-year-old American has now unexpectedly chosen to make a change ahead of the US Open. It's just days before the tournament at Flushing Meadows starts with the singles bracket beginning on Sunday. MacMillan has worked with world No1 Aryna Sabalenka in the past. He helped her fix her serve, which proved to be hugely successful. The biomechanics guru founded the Sports Science Lab. Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper accused of 'ex vibes' as Carlos Alcaraz is upstaged by Brits' awkward embrace at net They are a company specializing in sports performance, rehab and fitness. MacMillan was on court as Gauff hit with Ukraine's Elina Svitolina on Wednesday morning. The duo could be seen practicing at Arthur Ashe Stadium. "A lot of things add up and this could be a really good relationship," ESPN's Darren Cahill said of MacMillan. How to watch the 2025 US Open THE tennis world has descended upon New York City for the fourth and final slam of the year. The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows will have the eyes of the sporting universe upon it. The 2025 US Open takes place from Sunday 24 August to Sunday 7 September. And there is a standalone mixed-double competition as well as qualifying taking place in the week beforehand. ESPN is showing every moment live for fans in the United States, and you can sign up below. *If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue ESPN: $11.99/mo - subscribe here "He's very thorough. I've spoken to him many, many times before. "The fact that he's got experience with different athletes from different sports, both male and female, he uses the new technology. "He goes to the video a lot, really breaks down the biomechanics." Gauff lost in the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati Open last week. Her defeat came against Italy's Jasmine Paolini in straight sets. The US hero suffered 62 unforced errors in the match. Gauff parted ways with former coach Brad Gilbert following a fourth-round US Open exit, last year.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Cincinnati Open star fumes at organisers as Jannik Sinner is forced to retire in final
After Jannik Sinner was forced to retire from the Cincinnati Open final against Carlos Alcaraz after just 23 minutes, one tennis star made their disgruntled feelings known Alejandro Davidovich Fokina slammed organisers of the Cincinnati Open after Jannik Sinner was forced to retire with injury from his final against Carlos Alcaraz. Davidovic Fokina, 26, specifically hit out at the new scheduling of the competition, which has proven to be a contentious topic. With Alcaraz beating Sinner in the French Open, before the Italian got his revenge in the Wimbledon final, the world's top two male tennis stars looked set for another battle in Monday's showdown. However, Sinner failed to claim a single game and was compelled to withdraw after merely 23 minutes with Alcaraz commanding a 5-0 advantage in the first set. The top seed revealed he had been feeling sick since the day before, but wanted to try and compete against the Spaniard. He was the latest in a long list of players who have been forced to abandon matches mid-way through in Cincinnati, prompting Davidovich Fokina to demand "change," reports the Express. The Masters 1000 tournaments in Canada and Cincinnati were expanded this year and are now boasting 96-player singles draws, which stretch across 12 days each. The revised schedules meant the Canadian Open finals took place on a Thursday, whilst the championship matches in Cincinnati were arranged for Monday. The men's singles final between Sinner and Alcaraz began at 3pm local time, whilst the women's final between Iga Swiatek and Jasmine Paolini was given a start time of no earlier than 6pm. Tennis finals, particularly for major tournaments, typically occur on a Sunday. There was already criticism from supporters who questioned why a blockbuster encounter like Sinner versus Alcaraz had been positioned in the middle of a working day. When the match eventually concluded after just five games, world No. 18 Davidovich Fokina openly condemned organisers for the scheduling. He tweeted: "A Monday final at 3pm in August in Cincinnati, after the whole Toronto-Cincinnati swing, with so many retirements and players dead tired... something needs to change." After the match, Sinner apologised to the fans in the Lindner Family Tennis Centre for his early retirement. The Wimbledon champion said: "I'm super sorry to disappoint you. From yesterday I didn't feel great, I thought I would improve but it came up worse. "I tried to come out, to make it at least a small match, but I couldn't handle more. I am very sorry for all of you. I know that maybe some of you, on a Monday, you had to work or do something else, so I'm really sorry." The punishing conditions in Cincinnati have dominated discussions throughout the competition. Certain matches were suspended when spectators in the stands fell ill, and competitors have also battled against the scorching temperatures. Arthur Rinderknech crumpled during his third-round clash with Felix Auger-Aliassime and subsequently withdrew. In the men's singles main draw, Luciano Darderi, Camilo Ugo Carabelli, Jakub Mensik, Frances Tiafoe, Karen Khachanov, and Davidovich Fokina himself all pulled out mid-match. The latter was ahead of teenage sensation Joao Fonseca by a set and 4-0 when he suddenly appeared unwell. The youngster then claimed five consecutive games and the Spaniard abandoned the match, leading 7-6 4-5. He also withdrew from his encounter at the recent Canadian Open.
