1989

Highlights of the tournament

At the tender age of 17 years and three months, Michael Chang becomes the youngest winner of the Open. The young and seemingly fearless American knocks out the mighty Ivan Lendl in the last 16 in a titanic struggle which sees Chang serve underarm in a tense fifth set! The Czech is totally thrown off his game and never recovers. Chang then goes on to make it to the final where he faces Stefan Edberg, and though he finds himself two sets to one down, he manages to turn things around to record the first win for an American in the men’s singles in 34 years (since Tony Trabert in 1955). 

Spain’s Arantxa Sanchez also becomes the youngest women’s singles champion at the age of 17 years and five months. 

Statues depicting Jean Borotra and René Lacoste, designed by Vito Tongiani, are installed in the Place des Mousquetaires. Henri Cochet appears a year later, followed by Jacques Brugnon in 1991. 

Video highlights