It’s hard to explain how special the French Open is in person. 

The two days I went, it was both rainy, sunny, cold, and hot. Stade Roland Garros has a roof so that won’t stop the tennis on that court.

The stadium is very intimate and almost vertical to the rafters. Warning, because it is France, the railings are glass and have zero ability to grip. If you aren’t part mountain goat, it can be difficult to make your way to your seat. Biggest tip is to go to the top of your section and make your way down.

The venue itself smells uniquely like Paris – the coffee, wine, earthy clay, dampness, and parfums. Nothing else in the world smells like Paris and it feels to me like a hug from your nana.

I went to the French Open for the women’s quarterfinals and the women’s final. Both days were epic and exciting.

The first match I saw was All-American – Coco Gauff taking on Madison Keys. And both came to play. it went the full three sets and Coco made it out.

The match that was the most fun I’ve ever had at a sporting event, was the local wildcard Lois Boisson (pronounced Looo-eeeezzz) took on the Russian Mirra Andreeva. The French crowd was INSANE and drove the local hero to a win in three thrilling sets. Every point was life or death. People cried during her interview on court. Just spectacular stuff.  I knew she was going into the wood chipper than is Coco Gauff in the next round, but in the moment everyone believed in miracles.

The women’s final was the denouement of the drama that raged during the tournament and Coco took out Sabalenka in three up-and-down sets. Gauff followed the Brad Gilbert map for winning ugly – keeping the ball over the net and waiting for your opponent to fuck up. It is a winning strategy against most.

I was lucky enough to be gifted my tickets and hospitality suite by my good friend (and ex) that works for BNP – the gifts were swank and the drinks were pheeee-nomenal. If you are on the grounds, the bathroom lines can be long for the ladies, but you can use the stalls in the mens room and that cuts your time to less than five minutes.

The Chandon Garden Spritz is the cocktail of summer – sincerely delicious, crisp, and you feel like you are in the fanciest of jardins. It is served over ice with an orange slice and sprig of rosemary. Just pour. It is also available in the US  for about $25 – so congratulations to everyone.

I can’t recommend you attend enough if you are in Paris.