French Open 2025: Crowd intensity defines five-set victories on Court Suzanne-Lenglen
Tennis officials recognise the strategic value of home support as players battle back pain and match deficits under the scrutiny of the Lenglen faithful.
Arthur Fils and 17-year-old Moise Kouame secured five-set victories on Court Suzanne-Lenglen at the 2025 French Open, with both players citing the intense home crowd support as a decisive factor in overcoming significant match deficits. Fils defeated Spain’s Jaume Munar 7-6(3), 7-6(4), 2-6, 0-6, 6-4, while Kouame edged out Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 2-6, 7-6(10-8). The matches highlighted the polarising nature of the court’s atmosphere, which opponents described as both disruptive and energising for the French players.
Fils, 21, struggled with chronic back pain and cramps that caused him to lose 12 of 14 games in the third and fourth sets. After receiving off-court treatment including cold and hot baths, massages, and fluids, he returned to the court to rally against Munar. The home crowd provided vocal encouragement throughout, culminating in a rendition of the La Marseillaise while Munar served to stay in the match at 4-5 in the fifth set. Fils later described the atmosphere as one of the best in the world and doubted he could have finished the match without the support.
Munar criticised the crowd’s behaviour, describing the singing and interruptions as a lack of respect. He compared the atmosphere to a circus or theatre, noting that the fans turned the match into a show rather than a sporting contest. Munar pleaded with the umpire and Fils to address the noise, particularly after a prolonged hissing sound followed a double fault. Despite the tension, Fils secured the victory and tossed his shirt into the crowd in celebration.
In the second match, Kouame faced a 5-3 deficit in the fifth set against Vallejo. The teenager credited the partisan crowd with providing the energy to continue physically and mentally during the comeback. Vallejo acknowledged the intensity of the atmosphere, stating that it strengthened Kouame rather than harming him, despite his own preparation for the environment. Kouame’s victory marked another instance of French players benefiting from the home support on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
The tournament’s scheduling of both matches on Court Suzanne-Lenglen suggests an organisational recognition of the surge a partisan crowd can provide. While Court Philippe-Chatrier is known for its historical gravitas, Court Suzanne-Lenglen has become defined by its vocal and interactive fanbase. The Athletic has provided live coverage of the 2025 French Open, documenting the impact of these matches on the tournament’s narrative.
