Planning a day at Roland-Garros is easier once you know the difference between the draw and the order of play. The draw tells you who could play whom; the order of play tells you which matches are scheduled for a particular day, on which courts, and in what sequence. It is the document to check before you head to the grounds—or settle in to watch from home.
What the French Open order of play shows
The French Open, held at Roland-Garros in Paris, publishes a daily list of scheduled matches during the tournament. It usually includes singles and doubles, and may also list junior, wheelchair or legends events depending on the stage of the competition.
For each match, look for the players or teams, court, and position in that court’s schedule. Some matches have a stated start time, especially a featured session. Others are marked “not before” a certain time or listed after another match. That distinction matters: an “after” match cannot begin until the match ahead of it is over, even if the preceding contest runs long.
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| A specific start time | The scheduled time, not a guarantee that play will begin exactly then. |
| “Not before” | The match will not start before that time, but could start later. |
| “Followed by” or a position in the court’s order | The match is scheduled after the match or matches listed ahead of it. |
| A court assignment | The planned court. Weather, delays or other changes can lead to a reassignment. |
Where to find the latest schedule
Use the official Roland-Garros website or tournament app and look for the day’s “order of play.” These are the best places to check the published schedule and any updates. Broadcasters and tennis scores services may also show it, but the official tournament channels should be your first stop if plans depend on a particular court or match.
The order is generally published the evening before the day’s play, though the exact timing can vary. A draw is not a substitute: it shows the tournament bracket, not when a match is scheduled. Nor is a ticket for a show court a promise that a specific player will appear there. Check your ticket details and the daily order together.
How to read the schedule when you’re going in person
Start by finding your match, then note both the court and its position on that court. If it is first on the schedule, you can plan around the posted start time. If it is second or third, allow for the matches ahead to take longer than expected. A close five-set men’s singles match can shift the rest of a court’s day by hours; even a seemingly one-sided contest can have a long set or a medical timeout.
For example, suppose a match is listed third on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, after two earlier matches. Its place in the lineup is useful, but it does not tell you exactly when to arrive. If the first match finishes quickly, the next one may begin sooner; if both go long, the third match may be delayed. Keep checking the live schedule and tournament announcements rather than relying on an old screenshot.
Also check whether a match is on a show court or an outside court. A show-court ticket typically provides access to the named court, while grounds admission has different access rules. Ticket arrangements can vary by session and edition, so confirm the conditions attached to your ticket before travelling.
Day sessions, night sessions and local time
Roland-Garros uses a mix of daytime play and, on selected courts and dates, evening sessions. The number of matches in a session and the scheduled start times can change from one edition to another. Evening sessions are often built around a featured match, so do not assume that every court continues with a full day’s program after the daytime schedule.
Times on the official schedule are Paris local time. The tournament takes place in late spring or early summer, when Paris observes Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2). If you are watching from abroad, convert the posted time for the date of the match; daylight-saving changes do not happen on the same dates in every country.
Why the order can change
Clay-court tennis is demanding, and match length is difficult to predict. Men’s singles matches are best of five sets, while women’s singles matches are best of three. A five-set match can last several hours, and a long contest can push every match scheduled behind it on the same court later into the day.
Weather is another factor. Rain can interrupt play, and the roofs on Court Philippe-Chatrier and Court Suzanne-Lenglen give organizers options on those courts that are not available on every outside court. Even with covered courts, interruptions or changing conditions can affect the wider schedule. The tournament may move a match to another court, delay its start or reschedule it.
There is a tennis reason the order attracts so much attention, too: court conditions can feel different across the grounds. The show courts have their own atmosphere and sightlines, while an outside court can put spectators remarkably close to the action. A player who relies on heavy topspin may enjoy the slower, higher-bouncing clay, while a strong returner may look to take time away by stepping forward. The schedule tells you where to watch; the match itself can show how each player handles the particular conditions.
Tips for following the order from home
- Check the date and court first. Similar player names or doubles pairings can be easy to mix up, especially late in the tournament.
- Set a reminder for “not before” matches. It gives you a useful earliest start, not a precise appointment.
- Follow live scores during earlier matches. They offer a better sense of how soon the next match might begin, though they cannot predict the finish.
- Check broadcast availability locally. Television and streaming rights differ by country, and a match listed on a court may not be shown on every service.
- Refresh for changes. A schedule saved the night before may be out of date after rain or a court reassignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the French Open order of play released?
It is generally published the evening before each day’s matches, but release times can vary. Check the official Roland-Garros website or app for the current version.
Does a listed start time mean the match will begin exactly then?
No. A stated time is a target, and “not before” means the match will not start earlier. Delays, long preceding matches and weather can all affect the actual start.
What does “followed by” mean on the schedule?
It means the match is planned to begin after the match listed before it on that court has finished. There may be a short interval between matches, but the schedule does not give a guaranteed start time.
Are French Open match times shown in my local time?
The official schedule uses Paris local time. During the tournament, Paris is normally on CEST (UTC+2). Convert from that time zone to your own, accounting for the date and any daylight-saving difference.
Final Thoughts
The daily order of play is the clearest guide to what is happening at Roland-Garros, but it is a plan rather than a promise. Use the official schedule to identify the match, court and place in the day’s lineup, then check for updates before you leave home or tune in. That small habit can save a missed first set—or help you catch an unexpected classic on an outside court.
