At exactly 21:01, the first bursts of jubilation erupted from the Parc des Princes, followed by the distant crackle of fireworks. Though no giant screen had been set up at Roland-Garros, the news of PSG’s hard-fought 1-1 draw against Arsenal — sealed 4-3 on penalties — still sent ripples of excitement through the tournament’s hallowed grounds.

Scattered cheers rose from the walkways of Roland-Garros as Gabriel’s thunderous strike sent the stadium into rapture. Security personnel in navy-blue uniforms embraced, fists clenched in triumph. Even the chair umpire overseeing Félix Auger-Aliassime’s match against Brandon Nakashima on Court Central paused the proceedings, allowing the unfolding drama to momentarily eclipse the tennis.

A celebration without visuals

The noise and chants from the Parc des Princes traveled all the way to the Porte d’Auteuil gates, but the first tangible sign of victory was the fireworks lighting up the Parisian sky. Distant echoes, yes, but no visuals. For the second year running, the tournament organizers made no provision to broadcast the football final at Roland-Garros — a decision reminiscent of last season’s PSG vs. Inter Milan showdown.

No giant screen stood near the transats of Place des Mousquetaires, where spectators without center-court tickets watched Moïse Kouamé, Coco Gauff, and Félix Auger-Aliassime battle it out. The Suzanne Lenglen Court’s screen remained dedicated solely to tennis. Not even for the penalty shootout, which would have undoubtedly drawn a crowd away from the courts. The message was clear: Roland-Garros is a temple of tennis, not football, and it would not compromise the focus of its players and fans.

A subdued tournament hall

Between 18:00 and 21:00, as the Champions League final unfolded, Roland-Garros carried on with its usual quiet intensity. The football match seemed almost an afterthought, overshadowed by the magnetic pull of the French Open’s marquee clashes. A handful of spectators wore PSG jerseys emblazoned with Kimpembe or Pauleta, while a couple donned Arsenal’s colors, including one bearing the name of Bergkamp.

On Court Lenglen, where Kouamé and Alejandro Tabilo competed, a few supporters glanced at their phones as Ousmane Dembélé equalized for PSG (65th minute). The atmosphere was calm, almost too calm — but entirely expected.

The only live broadcast at Roland-Garros

To catch the match, fans had to descend to the press room beneath Court Philippe-Chatrier, one of the few areas in the stadium where the final was broadcast on a handful of screens. It was there that the tension and excitement peaked, splitting the room into two camps during the shootout: the English press on one side, the French contingent and PSG supporters on the other, united in jubilation as their team claimed Europe’s top prize.