As the clock struck 9 PM, the decisive moment arrived when Gabriel’s shot soared into the Parisian sky, propelling Paris Saint-Germain to victory. Scattered shouts of joy immediately resonated through the pathways of Roland-Garros. Young men and women were seen sprinting and cheering, while security personnel in their navy uniforms embraced, pumping their fists in triumph. Coincidentally, on the Central Court, the umpire paused the match between Félix Auger-Aliassime and Brandon Nakashima, allowing both players and spectators to acknowledge the momentous news.

The sounds of celebration and chants from the Parc des Princes carried clearly to the Porte d’Auteuil’s pathways, preceded by the distinct crackle of fireworks a few hundred meters away. These were distant echoes, heard but not seen. Just like the previous year during the Paris Saint-Germain versus Inter Milan final (5-0), tournament organizers had made no provisions for football and tennis enthusiasts to watch the Champions League final directly at Roland-Garros.

There were no large screens set up near the sun loungers at the Place des Mousquetaires, where those without access to the main courts watched tennis stars like Moïse Kouame, Coco Gauff, or Félix Auger-Aliassime. Similarly, the giant screen on Suzanne-Lenglen Court displayed only tennis, strictly tennis. Not even the penalty shootout, which surely would have captivated many, was shown. The rationale was clear: Roland-Garros is dedicated to tennis, not football. It would have been disrespectful to the athletes competing to have spectators abandon the courts to follow a football match in the walkways.

vibrant atmosphere in the press room

From 6 PM to 9 PM, amidst the Champions League final, Roland-Garros maintained its usual hushed traditions. It was almost as if the PSG-Arsenal clash didn’t exist, overshadowed by the intense focus on tennis, a passion that enthralls this community for two weeks annually. Nevertheless, some attendees sported PSG jerseys, notably with names like Kimpembe or Pauleta, and a few even wore Arsenal shirts, including one featuring Bergkamp.

On Suzanne-Lenglen Court, where Kouame and Alejandro Tabilo battled fiercely, some fans quietly celebrated, their eyes glued to their mobile phones, as Ousmane Dembélé equalized for Paris, making it 1-1 in the 65th minute. The general atmosphere remained notably subdued, perhaps even excessively so, yet this was entirely anticipated.