admission fees going to a couple of charities, which frequently supported health-related causes in France and around the world, e.g. AIDS, cancer, poor children, etc. In 2010, there were still exhibition matches the day before the start of the 2010 French Open, but the name and theme of the day changed.

Starting this year, the focus of "Children of Roland-Garros Day" will be on the development and practice of junior tennis. The tennis matches were the same as in past years with the top pros competing on the three main stadium courts. In addition, famous French DJ, Martin Solveig, performed on Court Philippe Chatrier at 6 pm to film the video for his forthcoming single in which he will play a wild tennis match against a surprise opponent. Money raised at the event this year will support "Fete le Mur" (which was founded by French tennis legend, Yannick Noah, literally means "wall practice" but is also a pun on "enjoy tennis" and is a two-pronged initiative aimed at fostering social cohesion and helping young people find jobs) and "Tennis en liberte" , which was founded by former French player, Isabelle Demongeot to help teach children from poor neighborhoods educational and social values through tennis. Monies will also be distributed by the French Tennis Federation to clubs around France which have exemplary educational, social efforts.

Posted by TC at 07:53 PM |