The French Tennis Federation has laid out several tributes and new initiatives for the 2026 Roland Garros in a what’s-new guide published Thursday. Among the highlights are three special farewells and a pilot allowing players to wear connected devices during matches.

Gaël Monfils will be given control of Court Philippe Chatrier on May 21 for an evening billed as “Gael & Friends.” “Interactive segments and multiple surprises will punctuate this charity evening, with proceeds benefiting Terre d’Impact, the FFT’s fundraising foundation,” the announcement shared. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet, along with “current stars of the game”, are scheduled to join Monfils during the festivities ahead of his 20th appearance at his home major.

Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo said: “Gaël has a history with Roland-Garros that is full of love and emotion, but he’s also a showman. We’ll be giving him free rein on May 21 at 7:30 p.m. Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo”

Caroline Garcia, who retired in 2025, will return to Chatrier for a ceremony on June 4 between the women’s semifinals. The former world No. 4 is expecting her first child later this year with husband Borja Duran.

Stan Wawrinka, the 2015 Roland Garros champion, is described by organisers as a strong candidate to receive a wild card after narrowly missing the main-draw cutoff. Tournament officials say Wawrinka will be honoured at Porte d’Auteuil following his last match.

The schedule also includes a May 26 tribute marking the 70th anniversary of Althea Gibson’s major singles triumph, to be held inside the venue’s largest show court.

Separately, the FFT confirmed a pilot programme that will permit competitors to wear connected devices during play. Organisers said the trial is expected to be followed by Wimbledon and the US Open, as the insights these devices provide become a growing topic of discussion.

Top seed Alexander Zverev moved into the BMW Open by Bitpanda quarterfinals with a controlled straight-sets victory over Gabriel Diallo. Playing on a packed Center Court with several Bayern Munich players in attendance and his family nearby, Zverev closed the match in one hour and 13 minutes, winning 83 per cent of his first-service points, saving the only break point he faced and converting five of eight break-point opportunities.

“It was much more straightforward than in the first match,” Zverev said. “I think he had some issues with his back and wasn’t serving fully in the second set anymore. Very unfortunate, but of course I am happy with the win and getting an easier match today.”

Zverev also praised his favorite football club after their Champions League result. “It was an amazing win yesterday; I was there watching. I took the kids down to the locker room afterwards and they were so nice to them. It was a great experience,” he said.

Up next for the German is fifth seed Francisco Cerundolo. The Argentine defeated two-time Munich finalist Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-0 in 64 minutes.

“I wasn’t in a hurry, but it’s always nice to win fast to save energy for tomorrow when I have to play again,” Cerundolo said. “I played well from the baseline. I probably didn’t serve well in the first set, but it got better in the second. I am trying to improve every day.” He added that the conditions suit him: “I like the conditions here. The clay is similar to the one in Argentina. It feels like home. There is a bit of altitude, but I am comfortable on this surface. My tennis is good and I hope I can keep going.” Zverev leads their head-to-head 4-3 and has won their last four meetings, all on hard courts. “I have never beaten him on clay, which is his favorite surface, but I am definitely looking forward to the challenge,” Zverev said. “I am very happy to be at this stage, facing a tough opponent. That’s what it’s going to be tomorrow.”

Qualifier Alex Molcan extended his run with a 6-4, 7-6 (10) win over Daniel Altmaier in one hour and 43 minutes, handling six aces and breaking once. “It means everything. I cannot be happier or prouder of myself that I have reached the quarterfinals here,” Molcan said. “It’s been a long time since I played at this level. I don’t want to say that I am back, but it’s great to feel the emotions and the crowd again. Competing against the best players and even winning matches motivates me a lot.” He added, “We both served well and I only broke him once in the first set. It was not easy to return. I had to fight mentally in the tie-break because it was so close. I saved two set points and, in the end, I am just happy.” Molcan will face Denis Shapovalov, who beat Fabian Marozsan 7-6(4), 6-2 in one hour and 25 minutes to reach his first quarterfinal on clay since the 2022 Rome Masters.

The Allianz Para Trophy also began in Munich after the tournament was upgraded to a 500-level event, featuring Open and Quad divisions. “We are very proud to be a partner and to promote not only the sport, but also equality and to provide the athletes with a bigger stage,” said Manuel Duhnke. “Compared to other tournaments, everything here is very professional – just like at the ATP event,” said Niels Vink. The Dutchman, who lost both legs and several bones in his hands due to illness, has already achieved a remarkable career Golden Slam at a young age, winning all four majors and Paralympic gold.

Cool weather continued to be a factor at the BMW Open by Bitpanda, but results on court moved the tournament steadily forward with a high-profile quarterfinal pairing now set. Ben Shelton advanced to the last eight with a straight-sets win, and João Fonseca produced a commanding performance to join him.

Shelton beat Belgian wild card Alexander Blockx 6-4, 7-6(8) in the second round, firing four aces and winning 71 per cent of his second-service points in a match that lasted one hour and 46 minutes. It is his fifth quarterfinal of the season. “Finding ways to win points without just serving or hitting through him was key today,” Shelton said after reaching his fifth quarterfinal of the season.

Shelton and Fonseca will meet in a first tour-level encounter on Friday. “He is a very complete player for his age. We have never played on the tour, but I hit with him in Mallorca. He has a great forehand, moves well and plays well on the backhand, too. I am definitely looking to mix things up and use everything I have.” Shelton also joked about local football, saying, “I hope Bayern wins,” Shelton answered with a smile.

Fonseca opened Center Court with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over No. 7 seed Arthur Rinderknech, saving all nine break points he faced and converting three of seven opportunities in a one hour and 21 minute match. The 19-year-old became the second teenager this decade to reach the Munich quarterfinals after Holger Rune in 2022 and 2023 and will be the first Brazilian in the Munich last eight since Thomaz Bellucci in 2014. “Saving the break points was key today,” Fonseca said after reaching his sixth ATP Tour quarterfinal of the season, his third at ATP 500 level. “I was super focused on today’s match, as I knew it was becoming difficult. Arthur is a player full of weapons, using serve and volley as well as drop shots.

“I like to play aggressively, to attack and dominate the points. I was trying to do that when I was serving and returning. He was returning most of the time from the baseline, putting a lot of pressure on me. Overall, it was a tight match, and I am happy to be performing well during the important points.”

Elsewhere, No. 4 seed Flavio Cobolli beat Zizou Bergs 6-2, 6-3 and will face Vit Kopriva next; Cobolli said, “When you win the first round but didn’t play well, you have the opportunity to do it better in the next one. That’s what I did today. I am happy about it because it wasn’t easy.” Fabian Marozsan also advanced with a three-set victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas, reflecting on the change of conditions and his focus: “It was tough to refocus on a second day,” Marozsan said. “Yesterday, I managed to come back after losing the opening set. Conditions were different today, and Stefanos is a great player. The courts were a little soft with the bounces, but I just tried to focus on myself, and I am really happy to beat him in my second attempt.”