Incidents involving courtside advertising boards at Roland Garros have prompted an immediate review of player safety protocols after multiple falls during the first week of the tournament.
Zeynep Sönmez was forced to retire from her doubles match after tripping over a courtside hoarding, while Katie Boulter also went down in similar circumstances during singles play at the clay-court Grand Slam in Paris.
Both incidents have intensified concerns among players about the limited space behind the baseline, particularly when retrieving wide balls on clay. The issues emerged during the ongoing French Open, where advertising boards are positioned close to the playing area. Players have warned that the current setup increases the risk of injury during high-intensity rallies.
In response, tournament organisers confirmed that adjustments are already being implemented around the playing surface. The French Tennis Federation acknowledged player feedback and stated that it is maintaining communication with athletes and their teams.
While insisting that court dimensions exceed minimum ATP and WTA requirements, officials emphasised that player well-being remains the primary concern moving forward.
The debate has gained further traction after world No. 1 Iga Swiatek also suggested that the issue could be resolved by relocating advertising hoardings. With multiple top players now raising concerns, the discussion has shifted from isolated incidents to a broader question about safety standards at one of tennis’ most prestigious venues.
Player incidents intensify scrutiny over court layout
Turkish player Zeynep Sönmez became the first major casualty of the issue when she tripped over an advertising board during her women’s doubles match. The 24-year-old required medical attention after falling while tracking a ball deep behind the baseline, eventually retiring from the contest.
She later confirmed she had received stitches and a bruised knee, though she avoided more serious injury. “I left the court with 2 stitches and a bruised knee. Thankfully, it wasn't worse.”
😱 Eso me ha dolido hasta a mí
— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) May 29, 2026
😵 El golpetazo que se dio Zeynep Sonmez tras tropezarse con una publicidad durante su partido de dobles
‼️ La turca se tuvo que retirar del partido tras la visita del fisio. #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/ZoQTqKzS8a
Katie Boulter’s second-round singles defeat to Anastasia Potapova also featured a similar incident, with the former British No. 1 catching her heels on a courtside advertising board while attempting a defensive shot.
The fall did not require medical withdrawal, but it immediately raised concerns about consistency in court safety conditions across matches. Boulter later used social media to demand changes to the setup. “THESE THINGS HAVE TO GO. I got lucky last night, but next time I might not be.”
THESE THINGS HAVE TO GO. Got lucky last night but next time I might not be… https://t.co/yvVgKbOZAo
— Katie Boulter (@katiecboulter) May 29, 2026
Sönmez later publicly supported Boulter’s position, arguing that repeated incidents indicated a structural problem rather than isolated accidents. The Turkish player questioned whether action would only be taken after a more serious injury occurs.
“I stand with Katie. Do we really have to wait until a player is seriously injured before these courtside boards are removed? Player safety must come first.”
I stand with Katie.
— Zeynep Sonmez (@ZeynepSonmez__) May 29, 2026
5 incidents in 5 days. I left the court with 2 stitches and a bruised knee. Thankfully, it wasn’t worse.
Do we really have to wait until a player is seriously injured before these courtside boards are removed?
Player safety must come first.#rolandgarros https://t.co/k7kXCxHAuc pic.twitter.com/sx749V1R5r
Organisers respond as pressure builds over safety standards
The French Tennis Federation responded by confirming that it had taken player feedback into account and was actively reviewing the layout of the courts.
“The Roland-Garros tournament organisers have taken note of some of the players’ feedback regarding the court setup,” the statement read. “We have taken this feedback into account and are maintaining ongoing communication with the players and their teams.”
“The stadium complex was modernised during the 2018/2019 season. All Roland-Garros courts currently exceed the international circuit minimum requirements regarding the distance between the baseline and the back of the court, which is set at 6.4 metres. However, the tournament’s priority remains the well-being of the players taking part. With this in mind, and based on our own observations, adjustments are currently being made to the area around the playing surface.”
Four-time champion Iga Swiatek also weighed in, suggesting the issue could be resolved by relocating advertising boards to reduce risk without compromising commercial visibility. “Obviously, if these things happen, there needs to be a reaction, because there are other ways for sure for Lacoste to be visible.”
“Obviously, on clay courts, we need more space sometimes because the balls are flying higher and you can use the court a bit more with the spin and everything,” she added. “So, yeah, it's a shame, and it shouldn't happen. I hope they're going to put them in a different place or just put the advertising in a different way there because it's not safe for sure.”
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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