For the past week, travelers through Paris Orly airport have been treated to the French Open, known in France as Roland Garros, in a fun, virtual tennis court and stadium. This photograph was taken Saturday afternoon during the women’s final between Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams. The fun chairs (almost like tennis balls) sit atop a carpet the color of the red clay courts, against a backdrop of the Roland Garros stadium. As you can see, the installation is even noted as handicap accessible, an initiative we’re seeing all over France these days (such as the Handiplage, that aims to integrate the disabled population with beach and recreation).
Themed installations are a familiar sight at Paris airports, ranging from the beach at Charles de Gaulle Airport to the virtual flight attendants at Orly. Other fun fact: Ever wonder who Roland Garros was? He wasn’t a tennis player but a decorated World War I-era aviator who was the first “ace” and the first to fly solo across the Mediterranean.
The Men’s final today between Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer begins at 9am EST/3pm Paris time.
Get in touch with the author @untappedmich.
