A staff sweeps a clay court during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 24, 2025. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP) (Photo by DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images)
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The iconic clay courts of the French Open are barely made of clay at all

There are few images in tennis more iconic than the red clay of Roland Garros. The arena in Paris hosts the French Open, the second grand slam of the year and one of the sport’s most prestigious titles. The courts of Philippe Chatrier and Suzanne Lenglen have played host to some of the most memorable matches in the sport’s history.

02:39 - Source: CNN
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A staff sweeps a clay court during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 24, 2025. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP) (Photo by DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images)
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The iconic clay courts of the French Open are barely made of clay at all
02:39
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<p>One of the most unique traditions in sport, the annual Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling competition in western England will be held this Monday. Thousands of spectators and brave competitors from all over the world will head to the iconic 200 yard hill so steep that very few participants manage to stay on their feet. World Sport's Don Riddell recently caught up with 23-time winner Chris Anderson who shared some insight on not only how to win, but also how to just make it down in one piece!</p>
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The art of chasing a block of cheese down a steep hill
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<p>World #2 tennis player Alexander Zverev discusses his chase for an elusive first-career tennis major with CNN World Sport's Don Riddell. Zverev talks about being called the best player never to have won a major, and why he believes the wait may be coming to an end this year.</p>
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Alex Zverev undeterred as he continues chase for first major
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<p>CNN World Sport's Don Riddell speaks with Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian about his latest investment and why the entrepreneur believes Chelsea could become the first billion-dollar franchise in women's sports.</p>
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Alexis Ohanian discusses minority stake in Chelsea women’s team
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<p>One of the best tennis stories of 2025 saw teenager Jakub Menšík deny boyhood idol Novak Djokovic of his 100th career title, stunning the 24-time grand slam singles champion in the Miami Open final in March. The 19-year-old exhibited an impressively confident display of power and guile in what was by far the biggest moment of his young career. In claiming his first career ATP title, Menšík became the second-youngest winner of the Miami Open after Carlos Alcaraz in 2022. But incredibly, Menšík very nearly didn’t play at all in Miami. Ahead of his first-round match against Jack Draper, Menšík was suffering with knee pain and went to the tournament referee’s office with the intention of withdrawing from the Miami Open. Instead, Menšík received treatment from the physiotherapist and took some pain killers, relieving his knee pain enough to take the court. He's been looking back on his breakthrough and ahead to the French Open with Don Riddell. </p>
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Teenager Jakub Menšík recounts incredible Miami triumph
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Why soccer might be Sweden’s way out of a gang crime crisis
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