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Run Set & Match: At Roland-Garros, Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse Serves Up a Winning Shot on the 10K
Roland-Garros swapped rackets for running shoes this Sunday as more than 11,000 participants took part in the Run Set & Match 2025, a one-of-a-kind 10K blending sport, energy, and prestige in the heart of the tennis temple. French half-marathon champion Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse crossed the finish line first in 30:42, while Johanna Lai topped the women’s race in 37:50.
Under soft autumn light, Roland-Garros turned into a massive running arena for one morning only. 10K Run Set & Match off from Court Suzanne-Lenglen — a stage usually reserved for forehands and volleys rather than mass starts. “You don’t get to run on the clay of Roland-Garros every day. It feels like playing a match against yourself,” laughed one runner, still dusted with orange clay.
A few strides later, participants sprinted out toward the Bois de Boulogne, looped around the Auteuil racecourse, and returned through leafy paths to the stadium. Ten kilometers blending asphalt, gravel, and clay — a playful nod to the variety of Grand Slam surfaces. The course, though picturesque, wasn’t as easy as it looked; the rolling terrain and subtle climbs made it feel, for many, like an endless tiebreak.
| Fast times, final-match atmosphere
Among the men, Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse — fresh off his French half-marathon title two weeks earlier in Auray-Vannes — dominated in 30:42, finishing well clear of Thomas François (31:28) and Nicolas Weber (31:43).
On the women’s side, Johanna Lai delivered a composed and powerful performance, clocking 37:50 to beat Marianne Emo (39:01) and Laurie Mora (39:03), all familiar faces on the Paris running scene.
Spectators packed the stands of Court Philippe-Chatrier, transforming the finish line into a roaring arena. Every runner was greeted with cheers, applause, and even a few “Allez!” chants worthy of a Nadal–Djokovic final. The finish-line emotion — in the legendary clay amphitheater — felt as intense as winning a hard-fought set.
| More than a race — a true tennis show
Run Set & Match isn’t just a running event; it’s an experience. In the post-race village, participants could test their tennis serve on mini-courts, grab food and drinks to the beat of live music, and even bump into a few professional players running “just for fun.”
Children weren’t left out — several kids’ races, from 400 meters to 1.7 km, brought their share of smiles, medals, and cheers. That family spirit, paired with the historic setting, makes this event stand out: a race that tells a story. It’s not about chasing personal bests but about living a unique sports moment on one of the most iconic stages in the world.
At the finish line, the expressions said it all — exhaustion mixed with euphoria, the satisfaction of having “won their match” against the distance. The Run Set & Match 2025 proved once again that it’s more than just another Paris 10K — it’s part performance, part spectacle, and pure emotion. And if Roland-Garros seemed to tremble with excitement this Sunday, maybe it’s because it found a new kind of ball to play with — the running kind.
✔ All results from the 2025 Run Set & Match edition.
Dorian VUILLET
Journalist
