1949 French Championships (tennis) 1949 French Championships (tennis) The 1949 French Championships (now known as the French Open) was a tennis tournament that took place on the outdoor clay courts at the Stade Roland-Garros in Paris, France. The tournament ran from 18 May until 28 May. It was the 53rd staging of the French Championships, and the second Grand Slam tennis event of 1949. Frank Parker and Margaret Osborne duPont won the singles titles. Frank Parker defeated Budge Patty 6–3, 1–6, 6–1, 6–4 Margaret Osborne duPont defeated Nelly Adamson 7–5, 6–2 Pancho Gonzales / Frank Parker defeated Eustace Fannin / Eric Sturgess 6–3, 8–6,
Clay court Clay court A clay court is one of many different types of tennis court. Clay courts are made of crushed shale, stone, brick, or other unbound mineral aggregates. The French Open uses clay courts, making it unique among the Grand Slam tournaments. Clay courts are more common in Continental Europe and Latin America than in North America, Asia or Britain. Two main types exist: red clay, the more common variety, and green clay, also known as "rubico", which is a harder surface. Although less expensive to construct than other types of tennis courts, the maintenance costs of clay are high