"It's something still really important in the memory": Remembering Yannick Noah's remarkable French Open win 40 years on

Monday, 05 June 2023 at 23:30

Yannick Noah made history 40 years ago by defeating Mats Wilander in the final of the 1983 French Open.

The Frenchman entered the 1983 French Open as the 6th seed. He was the biggest hope for the home crowd in a draw filled with legends such as Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Guillermo Vilas, Jose Luis Clerc, and Mats Wilander. It was precisely Wilander, the Swedish player, who fell to Noah in three sets in the final of the tournament.

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Noah's achievement is significant not only because of the formidable opponents he faced but also because he is the only Frenchman to have won a Grand Slam since 1947, and one of only three in the last 89 years. In terms of Roland Garros, he is the only French player to have lifted the trophy in the last 74 editions.

The following year, Noah won the title again, but this time in doubles alongside his compatriot Henri Leconte. The former world No. 3 won 23 singles titles and was a finalist in another thirteen tournaments, making him one of the greatest legends in French tennis.

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Every time the French Open lacks French representatives, the name of Yannick Noah is remembered. 40 years after the local tennis player's title, none of the French representatives made it past the second round of the 2023 Roland Garros.

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#tbt to one of the most charismatic players to ever play the game, and one of the coolest humans out there! 💪🏽🎾🇫🇷😎👊🏽 . #tennis #throwbackthursday #legend #throwback #tennisplayer #atp #rolandgarros #tennislife #cool #yanniknoah #tennislegend #champion #StayHome #thursdayvibes

7:52 PM · Apr 16, 2020

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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