The French Open is the only Grand Slam played on clay, and that surface changes everything—from how players move to how points are won. But it also affects the rulebook. While tennis has a universal set of guidelines, the French Open applies some unique procedures that can catch casual fans and even seasoned viewers off guard.
If you're tuning in during the two-week tournament at Roland-Garros, here’s what to know about how the rules work.
Unlike hard or grass courts, clay slows down the ball and produces higher bounces. That means longer rallies and more physical play, but it also affects how some rules are enforced.
For instance, clay makes line calling more transparent. Players and officials can check the mark on the court when a ball lands near a line—something not possible on faster surfaces. As a result, the French Open historically resisted electronic line-calling longer than other tournaments. In fact, Roland-Garros only began adopting Hawk-Eye Live technology for certain courts in recent years, and it’s still not used for every match.
This detail impacts player challenges. Since umpires can inspect ball marks on clay, the French Open doesn’t follow the same challenge system seen at the US Open or Australian Open. Players often point to the mark, and the umpire will come down to inspect it—a more subjective process that’s unique to this event.
Weather can be a major factor at Roland-Garros. While roofed courts have become more common in recent years, many matches are still vulnerable to rain delays.
Unlike Wimbledon, which has strict rules about suspending play due to weather or poor lighting, the French Open gives more discretion to umpires. Play can continue in light drizzle if it’s deemed safe. If matches are stopped, they resume from the same score, often the next day—sometimes leading to long delays for players and fans alike.
The addition of retractable roofs on Court Philippe-Chatrier and Suzanne-Lenglen has improved scheduling, but not every court has this feature, so delays still affect much of the tournament.
The French Open sticks to the traditional Grand Slam formats. Men play best-of-five sets, while women play best-of-three. This can lead to significantly longer matches on the men’s side, especially with the slower clay surface drawing out points.
Tiebreak rules also vary depending on the round. For years, Roland-Garros didn’t use final set tiebreaks at all, which created marathon matches. That changed recently: the tournament now follows the Grand Slam-wide rule that implements a 10-point tiebreak at 6–6 in the final set, starting in 2022.
This move brought consistency across the majors—but it’s still a relatively new adjustment and one many viewers might not expect if they haven’t kept up with rule changes.
Historically, the French Open banned any kind of on-court coaching during matches. That changed in 2023, when Roland-Garros began allowing limited coaching from the player’s box, aligning with a broader ATP and WTA trend.
Now, coaches can give verbal cues (as long as they don’t interrupt play) and use hand signals, but they still can’t approach the court. It’s a subtle but important shift, especially for fans who are used to the old hands-off tradition.
This change brings the French Open closer to what’s now allowed across most professional tournaments. Still, enforcement can vary slightly based on the umpire's interpretation, and coaching violations remain a topic of debate.
Dress code at the French Open is more flexible than Wimbledon, but there are still guidelines. Players typically wear clay-appropriate shoes with specific tread for traction, and there are restrictions on logos and visible undergarments, though not as strict as at the All England Club.
Equipment checks are also more common due to the wear and tear of clay. Racquets often need to be restrung more frequently, and players bring extra shoes due to the court’s grittier surface.
While these details may not seem like rules in the traditional sense, they influence player performance—and knowing them gives viewers better insight into match conditions.
The French Open follows the core rules of tennis, but clay adds complexity. From how line calls are handled to how weather impacts play, Roland-Garros demands more from players—and asks fans to adjust their expectations too.
Understanding these nuances makes watching the tournament a better experience, especially as new rule changes slowly reshape how matches are played. Whether you're following a top-seeded showdown or a five-set grinder in the early rounds, knowing the rules gives you the full picture of what’s happening on the red clay in Paris.
