The French Tennis Federation (FFT) is thrilled to announce the return of the Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault for its 2024 edition. Scheduled for May 25th, this year’s competition promises to be bigger and more exciting than ever, marking a significant milestone in the world of eTennis.
A global phenomenon
The Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault is played on Tennis Clash, the immensely popular mobile game developed by Wildlife Studios, which has surpassed 150 million downloads. Recognised for its inclusion in the 2023 Olympics Esport Series, Tennis Clash has become a cornerstone in the growing field of virtual sports. The 2024 edition of the eSeries has seen over 547,000 participants from 215 territories, with a staggering 7,690,642 matches played during the Open Qualifiers, solidifying its place as one of the largest competitions in mobile gaming and the sports world.
Notable participants and exciting new additions
This year, the Roland-Garros eSeries introduces a thrilling new twist with the inclusion of a wildcard entry for former professional tennis champion Gilles Simon. After providing commentary for last year’s tournament, Simon, the former ATP world number 6 and Davis Cup winner, will now compete against some of the best international players using his smartphone.
The final eight players have been determined through rigorous qualifiers and will compete publicly at the newly inaugurated auditorium of Roland-Garros. The competitors are:
- William “Fozzy” Foster (UK): The reigning champion aiming for a third consecutive win.
- Gilles Simon (FR): Wildcard entry, former ATP top 6 player.
- Tony Pilarski “Ivar” (FR): Wildcard entry, best player from the Handigamers association.
- Adjua Boucher “RenaPower” (USA): Top female player from the first Open Qualifier.
- He ShengHao “Kafe” (CHN): 2023 finalist and silver medalist at the Olympic Esport Series 2023.
- Alessandro Bianco “ΔLEX” (IT): Winner of the second Open Qualifier.
- Marc Antoine “MarcAntony” (QUE): Winner of the third Open Qualifier.
- Hizir Balkanci “Hizir” (TUR): Winner of the Grand Tour qualifier.
2024 Roland-Garros eSeries: An inclusive and exciting event
The 2024 Final Stage will be hosted at the new Roland-Garros Auditorium, a venue designed for prestigious events, which will open its doors to over 350 spectators for this tournament. Fans can also tune in to a live stream on Samuel Etienne’s Twitch channel, with coverage supported by Renault and Mastercard.
The FFT’s commitment to inclusivity is highlighted by its support for the Handigamers Association, which helps disabled people continue enjoying video games. Additionally, the FFT will convert points scored during the final matches into a donation to Handigamers, contributing €15 per point.
A grand celebration of eTennis
With a €5,000 prize pool at stake, shared between the winner and the runner-up, the stakes are high. William “Fozzy” Foster, the two-time Roland-Garros eSeries defending champion, faces fierce competition from a diverse and talented group of players. This year’s event promises intense matches, spectacular gameplay, and a celebration of the growing synergy between traditional and virtual sports.
For anyone wanting to follow the action and maybe even make predictions, you can print off this Roland-Garros eSeries Final Stage map below:
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