The Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault has unveiled its eight finalists, confirming its status as a premier eSports tournament. A staggering 515,000 players from 221 countries battled it out in 9.5 million Tennis Clash matches to secure a spot in the Final Stage. The excitement culminates on May 24th at the Roland-Garros Tenniseum, where reigning champion Alessandro Bianco and Open Qualifier winner Hizir Balkanci will compete alongside Anyndia Lestari, Omer Feder, Adjua Thembisa Boucher, Eugen Mosdir, Bartu Yildirim, and Samuel Sanin Ortiz.
This year's tournament introduces an electrifying format. The finalists will be divided into two teams, each led by a tennis legend. Gilles Simon, a former ATP world Number 6 and last year's finalist, will captain one team, while former Wimbledon Champion Marion Bartoli will lead the other. The teams will engage in a series of matches, with the victors advancing to the Winner Bracket. Meanwhile, eliminated players will have a chance at redemption in the Loser Bracket, where individual prowess will determine the ultimate Roland-Garros eSeries champion.
Adding to the excitement, Samuel Etienne, a renowned French personality and Twitch streamer with over 1 million followers, will host the event. He will be joined by eSports expert Quento and former Tennis Clash number 1, Benny (aka GP365). The tournament will immerse viewers in the Roland-Garros spirit, featuring a replica of the iconic Philippe-Chatrier court and custom outfits. Esteemed French umpire Aurélie Tourte will officiate the matches, promising intense competition.
The event will accommodate 250 spectators at the auditorium and will be live-streamed on Samuel Etienne's Twitch channel and the Roland-Garros YouTube channel at 4pm CEST. Viewers can look forward to watching every match, enjoying interactive segments, and engaging with special guests in lively discussions about tennis and eTennis.