Full Breakdown
Alexander Blockx’s Ankle Injury Raises Safety Questions at Roland Garros Practice Courts
5/28/2026, 12:21:48 AM
The Incident on the Jean-Bouin Practice Courts
During a Tuesday practice session at the Paris Jean-Bouin club, 21-year-old Belgian Alexander Blockx twisted his ankle on a tarpaulin covering the back of the court while rallying with Brazil’s João Fonseca. The injury forced him to withdraw from his second-round French Open match against No. 8 seed Alex de Minaur. Blockx posted on Instagram that a “snap” in his ankle was caused by the “really necessary” covers, later editing the message to remove the phrase.
Earlier Tarpaulin Injuries at Roland Garros
A similar accident occurred in 2017 when Belgian David Goffin sprained his ankle on a tarpaulin at the same venue, sidelining him for more than six weeks. In 2015, Canadian Eugenie Bouchard slipped on a cleaning substance at the U.S. Open and later received a partial damages award after the United States Tennis Association was held 75 percent liable.
Key Figures and Organizations
Alexander Blockx (world No. 37) was coached by Ruben Bemelmans; his practice opponent was Brazil’s João Fonseca. Romain Rosenberg leads the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA), and the French Tennis Federation (FFT) runs French Open.
Official Statements & Responses
Coach Ruben Bemelmans said his team will explore “possible recompense” and noted no warning signs about the tarpaulin. PTPA executive Romain Rosenberg said a doubles coach raised safety concerns about limited space behind the baseline on the Jean-Bouin courts. The FFT declined comment.
Criticism & Opposition
Rosenberg’s remarks echo broader player dissatisfaction with the practice-court layout, which the PTPA says has drawn multiple complaints about tarpaulin proximity.
Why It Matters
The incident highlights the adequacy of protective measures on practice courts used by athletes. Compensation for tournament-related injuries is uncommon; a successful claim could set a new liability benchmark and prompt revisions to court-cover protocols at events.
Verbatim Quotes
- “For sure, there’s no signs (saying) ‘careful about covers in the back,’” — Ruben Bemelmans, Coach
- “Players have complained about the safety of those courts for a while,” — Romain Rosenberg, Executive Director, PTPA
What’s Next
Blockx’s camp will investigate possible compensation, while tournament officials have yet to comment on any safety review.
