Court ruling puts Roland Garros revamp back on hold

Plans are in place to add a roof to Philippe Chatrier Court by 2020

The French Tennis Federation have suffered a new setback over their plans to redevelop Roland Garros.

Just three days ago, France's highest administrative jurisdiction gave its go-ahead to the project but a different court has now ordered a new suspension of the redevelopment.

The federation say they are "scandalised" by the decision and are seeking to overturn the judgement.

Roland Garros, the smallest of the four Grand Slam venues, are hoping to construct a new stadium at their west Paris site.

However, environmental groups are opposing the building of a new 5,000-seater court.

Roland Garros, in the west of Paris, covers 21 acres

They claim it would harm vegetation at the nearby Serres d'Auteuil botanical garden which has 19th century greenhouses, situated just a few hundred yards from centre court.

As part of the refurbishment work, the federation is also planning to build a roof over Philippe Chatrier Court by 2020.

The changes, that would increase the 21-acre venue to 34 acres, is estimated to cost around 350m euros.

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But this latest ruling has come as a blow to Roland Garros, as well as French Sports Minister Patrick Kanner, who said: "This is a very beautiful project, and those who say we want to destroy the Serres d'Auteuil are wrong."

The heirs of architect Jean-Camille Formige, who designed the botanical gardens, had asked the court to halt the project.

Construction work restarted this week following the Conseil d'Etat's ruling which overturned an earlier court decision putting the whole project on hold.

This latest court decision could also harm France's chances of winning the bid to host the 2024 Olympic Games.

Bid officials plan to use the venue for tennis, basketball, rugby, and five-a-side football if they are awarded the Games.

The International Olympic Committee will choose the host city next year.

Roland Garros has hosted the French Open since 1928, welcoming about 400,000 spectators every year.

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