What’s new in Paris?

From Roger Federer turning up to Naomi Osaka choosing to get fined over speaking to the press, from historic night sessions to health passes for fans, Roland Garros will witness some unprecedented sights:

ROGER’S TOUR DE FRANCE

When was the last time Roger Federer entered a Grand Slam being absolutely certain about not winning it?

“I'm not so sure in the last 50 years at the French Open, somebody just rocked up at 40-years-old, being out for a year and a half and just go on to just win everything straight,” Federer said a few days ago. He may just have a point, especially so if the man has lost two of the three matches since returning.

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS?

The French Open is also taking the plunge into the dark. For the first-time ever, it will join the US Open and the Australian Open in having night sessions. It is a key breakaway from tradition, with Wimbledon now being the only Grand Slam to not have separate day and night sessions of play. This year in Paris, 10 night sessions are scheduled on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

RAFA: MAN OF STEEL

If one Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros wasn’t intimidating enough for his rivals, there’s now another one, permanently residing inside the premises. The new Nadal statue has been built by Spanish sculptor Jordi Diez Fernandez using stainless steel. It stands three metres tall, five metres wide and two metres deep and was unveiled by Nadal himself on Thursday.

“HEALTH PASS”, PLEASE

Fans will be back in greater volume after a meagre trickling of up to 1,000 at the 2020 Roland Garros. It was why organisers postponed the start of the tournament by a week as France eases lockdown restrictions. From May 30 to June 8, up to 1,000 spectators will be allowed in each of the main courts. From June 9 onwards, show courts Philippe-Chatrier and Suzanne Lenglen can host 5,000 people. The capacity of the smaller courts will go up from 35% in the first week to 65% in the second.

ALL WALK, NO TALK

Naomi Osaka said she will not participate in press conferences before and after her matches, saying she won’t subject herself "to people that doubt me". Novak Djokovic said speaking to the press is "part of the sport". Nadal said that without the media, they won't be the athletes they are today, while Ash Barty said they know what they sign up for as tennis professionals.