1999

Highlights of the tournament

Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf are not among the favorites for this edition, and yet they both end up winning the respective singles draws at the ripe old age of 29! Agassi finally adds Roland Garros to his trophy cabinet to complete his Grand Slam, joining Donald Budge, Rod Laver, Fred Perry and Roy Emerson in what is a very exclusive club at the time of players who have captured all four majors (though since then they have been joined by Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal). The American defeats Andrei Medvedev (No.100 in the world) in the final, despite the fact that the Ukrainian, who is the lowest ranked player to make the championship match in Paris, leads two sets to love at one point. 

On the women’s side, Steffi Graf defeats Martina Hingis in the final to win for the sixth time in Paris, twelve years after her first title (equalling Chris Evert’s record). The match is a classic, and sees Hingis leave the court in tears at the end with her mother having to console her. 

This year also sees the beginning of major stadium renovation work which is set to take three years. Two weeks after Agassi lifts the Coupe des Mousquetaires at last, Centre Court is dug up. 

Video highlights