Tennis Stars Demand Roland Garros Change Amid French Open Disaster

Some of the biggest stars in tennis are calling for a simple change at Roland Garros following a string of injuries.

Earlier today, Turkish tennis player Zeynep Sönmez had to retire from a women's doubles match at the French Open after tripping heavily over a small advertising board near the back of the court as she chased down a ball during a point.

Tennis Players Demand Advertising Boards Be Removed

She escaped with only minor injuries but demanded the boards be removed.

"I left the court with 2 stitches and a bruised knee," Sönmez posted on X. "Thankfully, it wasn't worse. Do we really have to wait until a player is seriously injured before these courtside boards are removed? Player safety must come first."

Not long later, British tennis player Katie Boulter tripped over a Lacoste advertising board while attempting to play a shot.

"THESE THINGS HAVE TO GO," Boulter posted on X on Friday. "Got lucky last night but next time I might not be."

After watching Boulter's fall, Sonmez took to social media once again.

"I stand with Katie. 5 incidents in 5 days. I left the court with 2 stitches and a bruised knee. Thankfully, it wasn't worse. Do we really have to wait until a player is seriously injured before these courtside boards are removed?" she questioned.

Iga Swiatek Calls for Change

While she wasn't injured herself, four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek also called for change.

"Obviously if these things happen, there needs to be a reaction, because there are other ways for us to be visible for sure, you know?" Swiatek said. "It's hard sometimes to judge. Obviously on clay court we need more space sometimes because the balls are flying higher, and you can use the court a bit more with the spin and everything."

"I hope they're going to put them in a different place or just put the advertising in a different way there," she said. "Because it's not safe for sure."

Asked whether they would remove the advertising boards, organizers said they have raised the issue with the tournament's umpire and were waiting for an update.

Related: French Open Under Fire for Jannik Sinner Treatment

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 12:39 PM.