Legends return to Roland Garros – and it could be lit

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The pandemic the last two years forced some cuts to the scheduling at Roland Garros.

And one casualty was the legends event, which in Paris, in particular, is a lot of fun.

But it’s back. And they’ve beefed it up.

For one thing, they’ve stopped paying lip service to the women (who only even first appeared in 2010, 12 years after the men).

They have doubled the women’s draw to 16 players (eight teams), to match the men.

The men, who previously had 35s and 45s categories, will have an open event.

It’s not clear from the entry list, which has all the players listed individually, but it will be doubles only.

There are going to be some great names on both sides – notably on the women’s side.

Among those we’ve not seen in the legends are … Gabriela Sabatini!!!!

And Flavia Pennetta (and Gisela Dulko!)

And Mary Pierce!!

And Francesca Schiavone!!

Just fabulous.

On the men’s side, John McEnroe is still kicking. But most of the participants are French players (to be fair, they have a ton of very good retired players).

But some new faces include Robin Soderling and Marcos Baghdatis.

Unfortunately, no Marat Safin. Can’t have everything.

And yes, we’re all getting old.

Women:

Lindsay Davenport (USA)
Gisela Dulko (ARG)
Mary Joe Fernandez (USA)
Tatiana Golovin (FRA)
Daniela Hantuchova (SVK)
Martina Hingis (SUI)
Iva Majoli (CRO)
Conchita Martinez (ESP)
Martina Navratilova (USA)
Flavia Pennetta (ITA)
Mary Pierce (FRA)
Chanda Rubin (USA)
Gabriela Sabatini (ARG)
Francesca Schiavone (ITA)
Nathalie Tauziat (FRA)
Sandrine Testud (FRA)

Men:

Marcos Baghdatis (CYP)
Mansour Bahrami (FRA)
Julien Benneteau (FRA)
Arnaud Clément (FRA)
Nicolas Escudé (FRA)
Sébastian Grosjean (FRA)
Tommy Haas (GER)
Goran Ivanisevic (CRO)
Henri Leconte (FRA)
Michael Llodra (FRA)
Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA)
John McEnroe (USA)
Cédric Pioline (FRA)
Fabrice Santoro (FRA)
Robin Soderling (SWE)
Mats Wilander (SWE)