Roland Garros: French aviator and war hero
The French Open is named after Roland Garros, a pioneering aviator and World War I fighter pilot.
May 27, 2026
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Source: npr.org
The French Open, officially known as Roland Garros, is named after a French aviator and World War I hero. Roland Garros (1888-1918) was a pioneering pilot who made the first non-stop flight across the Mediterranean Sea in 1913.
Garros also invented the first forward-firing machine gun system for aircraft, allowing pilots to shoot through the propeller arc. He was captured by German forces in 1915 and escaped in 1918, returning to combat before being shot down and killed that same year.
The tennis stadium in Paris was named in his honor in 1928, when it was built to host the Davis Cup final. The tournament itself, the French Championships, moved to the site in 1928 and later became known as Roland Garros.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Roland Garros?
Roland Garros was a French aviator and World War I fighter pilot who made the first non-stop flight across the Mediterranean in 1913 and invented a forward-firing machine gun system for aircraft.
Why is the French Open named after Roland Garros?
The stadium built in 1928 for the Davis Cup was named after Roland Garros, a French war hero. The French Championships moved there that year and later adopted the name.
When did Roland Garros die?
He was killed in action on October 5, 1918, during World War I, just weeks before the war ended.
