Legends Trophy 2023 with Nathalie Dechy and Henri Leconte

The 2023 Legends Trophy begins this Tuesday, June 6 at Roland-Garros. 24 former glories (12 men and 12 women) take part in this friendly tournament which is still very popular with the public, during the second week of the tournament. Among them, two Northerners are taking part in this Legends Trophy: Nathalie Dechy and Henri Leconte.

A Roland-Garros Jean-Marc Devred

It’s a “must” of the 2nd week at Roland-Garros. The Legends Trophy opposes former tennis stars, who come to have fun playing doubles matches where good humor exceeds performance. It’s always a pleasant moment for spectators to see the champions of the past, racket in hand, who are not all the same age. The Legends Trophy changes format in 2023! This event, always acclaimed by the public at the Porte d’Auteuil, will now offer exhibition matches in three different formats: men’s doubles, women’s doubles and also mixed doubles! 12 champions and as many champions will participate in this event which should once again combine spectacle and good humor.

The Franco-Iranian Mansour Bahrami is a precursor. He will be there again this year. “These are exhibition matches. There are no winners or losers. Everything happens in joy and good humor, with beautiful gestures. I have not specially prepared for this tournament. The idea of ​​playing on the Suzanne-Lenglen court, full I hope, pleases me a lot. »

Most of the participants took part in the media day on Monday. The two most available champions were undoubtedly Belgian Kim Clijsters and Spaniard Sergi Bruguerawho chained the interviews in front of the international press present at Roland-Garros.

A new formula in 2023

The two Northerners were also well solicited. Henri Leconte of course because it’s Leconte. The native of Lillers retains a real aura even if he has never won Roland-Garros. The Villeneuvoise Nathalie Dechy also because she combines the roles of player and organizer.

She thus directly participated in the development of the tournament. “It is an evolution that we have been thinking about since the covid”, confirms Nathalie Dechy. “Last year, we did not go to the end of our reflection”. This is how a mixed doubles is now offered. Three matches will be offered each day on the Suzanne-Lenglen court, the favorite of former champions. In women’s and men’s doubles, but also, it’s new for 2023, in mixed doubles. 1 exhibition matches in total from June 6 to 11. “We wanted to make this Trophy more eventful by putting all the matches on the same court. Mixed doubles lends itself to these convivial moments. It will make for cool moments and it will be easier for the public. »

A very popular trophy

This year, the former Australian Open semi-finalist will also be on the court. She does not hide being prepared for it, and she seems very sharp. “We always try to hit the ball”, confides the Northerner. “All the former players who have been there for ten days as consultants often train in the morning at the Jean-Bouin stadium… Everyone gets into the game. There is no one who plays with the desire to lose. We are all competitors. Everyone wants to put on a good performance. If we can win, we do. But the goal is for it to be done in a good mood. »

Member of the Roland-Garros steering committee, Nathalie Dechy is also pleased with the success of the opening week, which preceded the final table. “For qualifying, there were a lot of people. We doubled attendance compared to 2022. It’s nice when people come. On this last week, they can also see the juniors, the tennis-chair. So I hope there will be people too. »

No doubt there will be a lot of people to see former winners like Kim Clijsters, Francesca Schiavone, Caroline Woznacki, Michaël Chang, Sergi Bruguera, John McEnroe or Mats Wilander.

The participants

DAMES
Kim Clijsters
Lindsay Davenport
Nathalie Dechy
Gisela Dulko
Tatiana Golovin
Daniela Hantuchova
Flavia Pennetta
Agnieszka Radwanska
Gabriela Sabatini
Francesca Schiavone
Nathalie Tauziat
Caroline Wozniacki

GENTLEMEN
Mansour Bahrami
Sergi Bruguera
Michael Chang
Arnaud Clement
Guy Forget
Sebastien Grosjean
Henri Leconte
John McEnroe
Andrey Medvedev
Cédric Pioline
Fabrice Santoro
Mats Wilander

A BETTER FOLLOWED WHEELCHAIR TENNIS TOURNAMENT

Before the presentation of the Legends Trophy, the draw for the wheelchair tennis tournament took place on Monday afternoon. Gilles Moretton and Yan Kuszak from the North, referee at Roland-Garros, carried out this draw.

New, the tables for the wheelchair tennis event have been extended this year. 16 players and 16 players will participate this tournament against 12 last year. The quad event will be composed of 8 players.

For the second consecutive year, one of the finals of the wheelchair tennis event, scheduled for Saturday June 10, will take place on the Philippe-Chatrier court ahead of the ladies’ singles final. This match will be broadcast live by France Télévisions (France 4).

Among the ladies, Diede de Groot from the Netherlands, double defending champion and world No. 1, will be the big favourite. The French Pauline Deroulede et Emmanuelle Morch, will try, as for them, to pull out of the game.

In the gentlemen’s draw, the Briton Alfie Hewettworld No. 1, will try to win his 4th^e singles title on Parisian clay. Two French will be in the running: Stephane Houdet et Frederic Cattaneo.