The Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault has unveiled its eight finalists, cementing its status as one of the most thrilling eSports tournaments. Over 515,000 players from 221 countries competed in a staggering 9.5 million Tennis Clash matches to secure a spot in the Final Stage. Among these elite competitors are reigning champion Alessandro Bianco and Hizir Balkanci, the winner of the first Open Qualifier. They will be joined by Anyndia Lestari, Omer Feder, Adjua Thembisa Boucher, Eugen Mosdir, Bartu Yildirim, and Samuel Sanin Ortiz, all set to clash in an unforgettable showdown on May 24th at the Roland-Garros Tenniseum.
Adding to the excitement, this year's tournament introduces a thrilling format. The finalists will be divided into two teams, each led by a tennis legend. Gilles Simon, former ATP world Number 6 and a finalist from last year, will captain one team, while Wimbledon Champion Marion Bartoli will lead the other. The teams will engage in a series of intense matches, with the victors advancing to the Winner Bracket. Meanwhile, those who fall in battle will have a chance at redemption in the Loser Bracket, where the team structure dissolves, and only one player can emerge as the ultimate Roland-Garros eSeries champion.
The event promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats, with Samuel Etienne, a renowned French personality and Twitch streamer with over 1 million followers, hosting alongside esports expert Quento and former Tennis Clash number 1, Benny, aka GP365. The tournament will be held in the spirit of Roland-Garros, featuring a replica of the iconic Philippe-Chatrier court and custom outfits. Esteemed French umpire Aurélie Tourte will officiate, ensuring a series of electrifying matches.
A live audience of 250 spectators will experience the action firsthand in the auditorium, while fans worldwide can tune in via Samuel Etienne’s Twitch channel and the Roland-Garros YouTube channel starting at 4pm CEST. Viewers can look forward to watching every match, along with engaging in interactive segments and enjoying passionate discussions with special guests, all centered around the vibrant worlds of tennis and eTennis.
