'Serving for equality: a history of women’s tennis'

Beyond sport

French champion Suzanne Lenglen, with her extraordinary record of achievements, embodied modernity though the professionalisation of her sport, her exceptional media presence, her charisma and her sense of style, while Althea Gibson showed that the court could also be used as a platform in the fight against discrimination.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the American player’s victory at Roland-Garros. Her triumph on the Paris clay made her the first woman of colour to win a Grand Slam tournament.

A journey through time

From the ‘Original 9’ – nine players, including Billie Jean King, who revolutionised tennis by laying the foundations for what would become the women’s tour – to the creation of the WTA, the exhibition explores the struggles for equality, and prize money in particular.

This exhibition also highlights the FFT’s strategy to promote women’s tennis, as well as the many women who contribute to the sport's ecosystem (officials, executives, ball girls, coaches, etc.). Finally, it addresses current issues such as media coverage, motherhood, gender-based and sexual violence, and racism, bringing women's tennis history into the present day.

Along the way, visitors will discover never-before-seen archives and rare objects, including exhibits such as outfits loaned by international institutions and even by former champions themselves.

The exhibition will extend beyond the Roland-Garros tournament, running until the end of March 2027.

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