Licensable Photo: French Open – Reuters Connect

At Roland Garros in Paris on May 27, 2026, the second-round match between Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva and Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina was played on Court Suzanne Lenglen, where a general view showed empty seats in the stands. The scene captured the atmosphere around the French Open as the tournament continued in the early stages of its draw.

The image focused on the seating area rather than the action on court, highlighting a quieter moment at one of the grand slam’s main venues. Court Suzanne Lenglen is one of the premier show courts at Roland Garros, and the photo showed that not all seats were occupied during the match. The empty sections gave the stands a sparse appearance despite the significance of the competition taking place below.

The match was part of the second round at the clay-court major, with Rybakina, a former Wimbledon champion and one of the notable names in the women’s field, facing Starodubtseva of Ukraine. The contest took place within the broader setting of the French Open, where players were competing across multiple courts as the tournament progressed through its opening rounds.

The photograph, credited to Reuters photographer Stephanie Lecocq, reflects the type of wide-angle tournament imagery often used to document the setting and environment of major sporting events. Rather than focusing on individual players or a specific point, the image emphasized the stadium interior and spectator presence during live play.

Roland Garros is known for its distinctive red clay courts and its atmosphere during the spring tennis season in Paris. Court Suzanne Lenglen, named after one of France’s most celebrated tennis figures, regularly hosts important matches during the event. Scenes like this are part of the visual record of the tournament, showing not only the competition but also how the venue looks at different stages of play.

The French Open remains one of tennis’s four Grand Slam tournaments and draws international attention each year. As the event unfolds, images from the grounds capture both the sporting drama and the conditions surrounding matches, including crowd turnout, court presentation, and the overall ambiance of the tournament site.

This moment from May 27 illustrated a subdued stadium view during a live second-round match, offering a snapshot of the day’s action at Roland Garros.