If you’re viewing property in France this week you may want to take a visit to the French Open tennis tournament which kicked off on the 23rd May in Paris.

The tournament will see the stars of the ATP and the WTA tours come together for two weeks of intense tennis, in what is regarded as the toughest grand slam of them all.

Scottish tennis ace, Andrew Murray has sailed into the second round of the French Open after making light work of his French opponent, Eric Prodon. Prodon, the local favourite, was quickly knocked out in straight sets by Murray.

The French Open is considered around the world to be one of the most physically demanding tournaments in the tennis calendar; mainly due to the five set men’s single matches which do not have a tiebreak. This, combined with the slow pacing clay surface, which slows the ball down and makes for a greater bounce, makes any game here tougher than most.

The tournament first began in 1891, known then in English as the ‘French Closed Tournament’. It was only open to members of the French clubs. Originally played on grass, it turned to clay courts in 1912. It wasn’t until 1925 that the tournament became open to international amateur players, and became known as the Tournoi de Roland-Garros.

To understand the full step-by-step process to buying a property in France, collect The Overseas Guides Company’s ‘France Property Buying Guide’