Does Tennis need many like Philippe Chatrier?

by Fernando Segal (1/4)Title

In heart of Tennis lives a vision, a spirit that transcends victories, rankings, and trophies. It’s the spirit of those who build legacies. Who ignite movements and inspire generations. Philippe Chatrier was one of those key leaders.

Every May, when Roland Garros comes alive, his name is spoken. The Philippe Chatrier Court is not just a stadium, it is a symbol. A reminder that one person, with clarity of purpose and courage of conviction, can make big changes.

1926 born in Créteil, France, Chatrier wasn’t a tennis superstar. His playing career was modest. But greatness often starts with a vision.

As President of the French Tennis Federation (1973–1993), and simultaneously ITF President for 14 years (1977–1991), he revolutionized tennis. Under his leadership, the number of registered players in France soared from 224,000 to over 1.25 million. He transformed the FFT into a model federation with an entrepreneurial spirit.

He believed in people. On the advice of Arthur Ashe, he supported a young Yannick Noah, coming from Cameroon. That faith paid off in 1983 when Noah won Roland Garros, becoming the last frenchman to win the men’s singles title.

He was bringing tennis back to the Olympic Games. Through relentless collaboration with IOC President J. A. Samaranch, he led tennis to return as a demonstration sport in Los Angeles 1984, officially Olympic discipline in Seoul 1988.

He also initiated pioneering projects like Tennis in Africa, long before tennis development department born. As Enrique Morea participated, it was Chatrier, Gil de Kermadec that in 1978 launched one of the world’s first tennis development programs. I remember 1995 my meeting with Philippe Chatrier, and Enrique Morea. That lunch and tennis conversations was a privileged time for me.

So I ask: Do we need new Philippe Chatrier’s?

The answer is not just yes, it’s urgent.

Tennis means a global culture, a movement, a force for growth. We need a revolution of values, structure, and purpose in each next visionary, builder, and true leaders of tennis world.

We can make it!