The Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault has announced its eight finalists, marking the culmination of an intense competition that drew 515,000 players from 221 countries, engaging in 9.5 million Tennis Clash matches. The excitement builds as reigning champion Alessandro Bianco is set to defend his title against formidable competitors on May 24th at the Roland-Garros Tenniseum. Joining him are Hizir Balkanci, Anyndia Lestari, Omer Feder, Adjua Thembisa Boucher, Eugen Mosdir, Bartu Yildirim, and Samuel Sanin Ortiz.
This year's tournament introduces a thrilling format where the finalists are 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 former Wimbledon Champion Marion Bartoli will lead the other. The teams will compete in a series of matches, with winners advancing to the Winner Bracket. Those eliminated will have a second chance in the Loser Bracket, where individual prowess will determine who gets a shot at becoming the Roland-Garros eSeries champion.
Adding to the excitement, Samuel Etienne, a well-known French personality and Twitch streamer with over 1 million followers, will host the event 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 the matches, ensuring a high level of competition and fairness.
The event, set to take place in front of 250 live spectators at the auditorium, will also be broadcast live on Samuel Etienne's Twitch channel and the Roland-Garros YouTube channel starting at 4pm CEST. Viewers can expect to watch every match, participate in interactive segments, and enjoy engaging discussions with special guests who will delve into the worlds of tennis and eTennis, making this a must-watch event for fans worldwide.