Match Point: It’s Open Season in Paris!

Between May 23 and June 6, international tennis stars and their adoring public will gather in Paris for some of the world’s best matches. Played on clay—the nemesis of such champions as Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors —the French Open is considered the toughest of the four grand slam tournaments.

The tennis open officially started in 1891, went international in 1925, and moved to its longtime and current home, Roland Garros in 1928. (Garros was a French aviation pioneer and war hero.) Recent title-holders include Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal (this year’s favorite), Bjorn Borg back in the ’70s, and 1920s female legend, Suzanne Lenglen.

While tickets are difficult to obtain, they are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Good advice for how and where to buy tickets can be found at: http://french.open-tennis.com/tickets.php