Roland Garros to give Monfils "free rein" for "Gaël & Friends" event, Stan Wawrinka to be honored after last match

Two home favorites are set to be honored at this year’s Roland Garros, along with a former champion.

Gaël Monfils, Caroline Garcia and Stan Wawrinka will each be recognized with unique sendoffs, as the French Tennis Federation (FFT) outlined its plans for the 2026 edition in a ‘what’s new’ guide Thursday.

Monfils, one of the most beloved players of his sport over the past two decades, will have “free rein” of Court Phillippe Chatrier on May 21. The FFT is handing over the keys to the 39-year-old for an evening of fun aptly named “Gael & Friends” during its Opening Week festivities.

“Interactive segments and multiple surprises will punctuate this charity evening, with proceeds benefiting Terre d’Impact, the FFT’s fundraising foundation,” the announcement shared.

Gaël has a history with Roland-Garros that is full of love and emotion, but he’s also a showman. We’ll be giving him free rein on May 21 at 7:30 p.m. Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet, along with “current stars of the game”, will join Monfils ahead of his 20th appearance at his home major.

Garcia, who retired in 2025, will return to Chatrier for a special ceremony on June 4 between the women’s semifinals. The former world No. 4 is expecting her first child later this year with husband Borja Duran.

Wawrinka is a strong candidate to receive a wild card after just missing the main-draw cutoff. According to organizers, the 2015 title holder will be celebrated at Porte d’Auteuil following his last match.

A tribute commemorating the 70th anniversary of Althea Gibson’s triumph is also scheduled to take place May 26 inside the venue’s largest show court. It was that title run that cemented Gibson as the first woman of color to lift a major singles trophy.

Elsewhere, the FFT confirmed the rolling out of a pilot program enabling competitors to put on wearable tech during their matches. The trial is expected to follow suit at Wimbledon and the US Open, with the range of insights connected devices provide proving to be a hot topic of discussion.

New recovery services, upgraded accommodation and “revamped’ culinary offerings were also cited as areas of growth for the overall player experience.