The French Open is the second of the Grand Slam tournaments and takes place annually at the Stade Roland Garros, Paris, in late May and early June. The only Grand Slam tournament to take place on clay, the French Open is regarded by some as being the most demanding and most difficult of the Grand Slams to win. The slower playing surface has caught out many of the great players in tennis history, with such revered players as John McEnroe and Pete Sampras never able to win the French Open title.
The dominant player at the French Open in recent years has been Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard has dominated the men's tournament, winning every tournament since 2005 inclusive (except for in 2009, when Roger Federer instead won the French Open title). Nadal is now only one French Open title short of equalling Bjorn Borg's modern-day record of six French Open wins.
The ladies's French Open tournament has not been so one-sided in recent years, with different players winning in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Justine Henin had won the title three years on the trot before that though (2005-2007).
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