2005

Highlights of the tournament

A 19-year-old Spaniard comes to the tournament for the first time and sets about rewriting Roland-Garros history books. Rafael Nadal eliminates world No.1 Roger Federer in the semi-finals before taking down Argentina’s Mariano Puerta in the final. Zinedine Zidane then presents the teenager from Majorca with the Coupe des Mousquetaires. 

The day before on the very same podium, beaten finalist Mary Pierce struggles to hold back the tears after failing to get to grips with Justine Henin-Hardenne in the final. This is the Belgian’s second title at the Porte d’Auteuil but she has to save two match points in the fourth round against Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova. Anastasia Myskina meanwhile falls in the opening round – a first at Roland Garros for a defending women’s champion. 

In terms of technology, the real innovation for 2005 is the installation of giant screens on Philippe Chatrier and Suzanne Lenglen courts.

The legend's beginning

Video highlights