As the French Open reaches its crescendo at Roland Garros this week, we walk through an interactive virtual tour centred on the tournament to prepare for the big day
A rerun of the 1983 finals on view
The French Open is no stranger to drama. Fans or otherwise, we have all witnessed racquets being smashed, wristbands flung in celebration, rivalries forged, friendships rekindled, unpredictable crowds, tears shed, and trophies hoisted, all from the comfort of our homes. A new 3D virtual tour launched by Roland Garros in collaboration with Infosys offers us a closer look at these moments, beyond the screens.
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The men’s singles trophy
The series kicks off with a museum dedicated to Yannick Noah, the 1983 French Open men’s singles champion. Stepping into the museum, we’re greeted by a wall showcasing Noah’s iconic racquet, wristband, and polo shirt — the very ones immortalised in those dramatic photos from the 1983 finals. An information panel reveals how the champion wore a special wristband sporting green, gold and green as a nod to his Cameroonian and Rastafari roots.
The same space hosts a virtual screening room where you can sit down to watch a rerun of Noah’s journey to the 1983 finals in snippets. In the hallway leading to the exit, a wall commemorates the winners of the coveted title. While the panel gives a quick refresher in the history of the tournament, managing to keep us hooked, a glaring error in Czech-American icon Martina Navratilova’s name plays spoilsport.
Bjorn Borg’s signature Donnay racquet from the 1980s
Moving on to the Racquets and Posters museum, we make a beeline for the section titled Star Racquets. Be it Björn Borg’s dreaded two-handed backhand or Rafael Nadal’s cheeky top spin, we get a close look at the racquets and the specifications that made it possible, through 3D renders. Borg’s Donnay Pro racquet, for instance, demanded a string tension of 30 kg, something that was unheard of in his era. A true heavyweight ahead of his times, we say.
We stroll to the other end of the museum where modern art meets sport in an exhibition of officially commissioned posters dating back to 1980. The story behind every artwork is narrated through an audio snippet that can be triggered by clicking on the headphone icon. We learn how the 1995 artwork by American artist Donald Lipski, featuring two racquets fused together, found inspiration in the romantic French spirit.
The art room features official posters from the tournament since 1980
After a tiring day of clicks and taps, it’s only fair we get to end the virtual tour with a little reward. Iconic Symbols, the third and the smallest museum in the series offers just that. The five coveted trophies, presented to champions from each category, are exhibited in all their glory. A click on the La Coupe des Mousquetaires, and a window pops up with a realistic and interactive 3D render of the trophy. With each motif, moulding, and curve reproduced to perfection, it might take you some time to put it down and move on; we still haven’t.
Log on to: rolandgarros.com /3D-art-museum-infosys
ALL-ACCESS ARENAS
>> Lord’s Museum: Opt for a walkthrough of the museum at the iconic sporting venue or choose to visit the stands instead. Don’t forget to catch a glimpse of the iconic balcony that witnessed Sourav Ganguly’s unforgettable celebrations in 2002.
Log on to: lords.org
>> The Olympic Museum: With the Summer Olympics around the corner, it might be a good time to step into The Olympic Museum in Switzerland to get your sporting spirits high. Learn about the history of the games and its rituals including the evolution of the Olympic torch.
Log on to: virtualmuseum.olympics.com/
>> Arsenal Virtual Venue: English Premier League runners up Arsenal’s latest offering is a virtual tour of the Emirates stadium. Get a bird’s eye view of the venue or dive in to hop around the 60,000-seat stadium till you find the right spot.
Log on to: https://arsenal.io-media.com/
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