Who was Roland Garros?

BBC News

22-05-2025

The French Open is often referred to as simply 'Roland Garros' - but who was he?Eugene Adrien Roland Georges Garros is regarded as a French war hero.Garros was a pioneering self-taught pilot, who made the world's first flight across the Mediterranean Sea before becoming a World War One fighter pilot.The French aviator also developed the first single-seater fighter plane with on-board machine guns. When Garros was taken prisoner by German soldiers, they used his ideas to adapt their own aircraft. He managed to escape in 1918 but was shot dead later that year - a day before his 30th birthday. A decade later, Paris' newly built tennis stadium was named in Garros' honour.
Why was the French Open named in Garros' honour?
The French Open is officially called Les Internationaux de France de Roland Garros - translating to the 'French Internationals of Roland Garros'.The stadium it is played in was built - in part - because of the success of 'The Four Mousquetaires (Musketeers)'. They won the Davis Cup in 1927.It was named after Garros following request from Stade Francais president Emile Lesueur - a former classmate of his. When Lesueur ran to be the chair of the Stade Francais, Garros had been among those to show their support for him.This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.
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