Controversial plans to increase the size of Roland Garros, the historic home of the French Open, received a major boost on Wednesday.
The French Tennis Federation (FFT) has been looking at ways to either expand the existing venue in the chic 16th arrondisement of Paris or relocate the French Open to a new site in the capital's suburbs.
"It would be heart-breaking, but we have to consider it," declared Gilbert Ysern, FFT director general, back in March.
The problem facing the French tennis authorities comes down to space - Roland Garros at 8.5 hectares is less than half the size of Wimbledon, which boasts 18.5 hectares of prime south-west London grass.
Possible new homes that were said to be under consideration in the Parisian 'banlieues' were Versailles, Marne-la-Vallee, Evry and Gonesse.
But the plan to renovate the existing premises looks to be the favoured option after a special commission made up of elected officials, architects and historians, gave it the thumbs-up by 13 votes for, eight against, with two absentions.
The project proposed jointly by the FFT and Mayor of Paris would involve expanding Roland Garros to create a new 5,000 seater court.
Anne Hidalgo, assistant to Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe, spoke of "the enthusiastic support from the Paris Mayor's office for this major project for Paris".
Those against the idea have expressed disquiet at the loss of precious conservation areas surrounding the venue.
A final decision on the French Open's future must be made at the latest by February, 2011.
The French Open was won by the legendary Rene Lacoste the first time it was held in 1925, with Rafael Nadal celebrating his fifth title in June.
Courtesy: AFP
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November
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- Rafal Nadal - Press conference video
- Rafa meets Diego
- Facebook update
- Zimonjic reaping rewards
- Llodra ready for Singles too
- Carlos Moya Special
- Rafael Nadal - 2010 has been "fantastic"
- Art of Tennis auction - Finished
- Serbia counts on Djokovic
- ATP rankings - 29/11/2010
- Post match interview with Rafael Nadal
- Rafael Nadal - Press Conferernce transcript
- Nadal sets sight on "Rafa Slam"
- 2011 Slam predictions
- Murray to continue alone
- Roger Federer - No plans to quit
- No excuses from Rafael Nadal
- Rafa loses the World Tour Final :(
- Rafael Nadal - photos from the final
- Tennis TV preview video
- Facebook update
- Rafa Nadal's press conference photos
- Rafael Nadal - post match interview
- Federer "scaling new height" says Djokovic
- Rafael Nadal is "mentally fresh" for the final
- Rafael Nadal's semi final press conference
- Rafael Nadal into the World Tour Final
- Rafael Nadal semi final photos Part 2
- Rafael Nadal semi final photos
- Hawk-eye for all?
- Rafael Nadal - Friday's "Hot Shot"
- Rafael Nadal post match video
- Semi final previews
- Boris has a facelift
- Murray mind games
- USTA to sue Olympus
- Djokovic advances to the semi final
- Berdych - Umpire was scared of Nadal
- Rafael Nadal into the Semi Final at the World Tour...
- Photos of Rafael Nadal v Tomas Berdych
- Rafael Nadal - Pre match video
- Rafael Nadal - Pre match video
- Rafael Nadal practice video part 2
- Rafael Nadal practice video
- Interview with the Serbian DC captain
- Hewitt has a new coach
- Murray - I can't beat Rafa
- Photos added from the ATP World Tour Finals 2010
- Carlos Moya tribute
- Roger & Rafa promo video in full
- Soderling to split with coach?
- On court interview with Andy Murray
- Rafael Nadal - on court post match interview after...
- Rafael Nadal walking on court v Novak
- Rafael Nadal - Awards ceremony at the World Tour F...
- Djokovic - Unlucky or hypochondriac?
- Tennis deserves Olympic slot
- New TV deal
- Berdych eyes revenge
- French Open boost
- Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic
- Roddick almost out of World Tour Finals
- Sorry
- Rafael Nadal v Novak Djokovic preview
- Rafael Nadal - Edberg Award & World # 1
- Can Rafa do the Career Super Slam?
- Rafaday!!!!Started off by getting there a bit earl...
- Federer v Murray - Who Has The Edge?
- Djokovic & Nadal get off to winning starts
- Rankings as of 22/11/2010
- Todd Martin says Roddick in 3
- First day at the ATP World Tour Finals
- Federer off to a winning start
- Murray gets off to an impressive start
- Schedule change from 2012
- Training video
- O2 practice photos
- Team Nadal
- Andy Murray interview
- Savour Rafa & Roger - Roddick
- Roger worried about lack of youth
- Rafael Nadal can raise the roof and end great debate
- Rafa & Roger win ATP Awards
- ATP Rafa video
- Off to London!
- Lovely close-ups of Rafa
- Art of Tennis Auctions
- Finally - we have Roddick's Art of Tennis
- BBC 5Live Interview
- Rafa Nadal "Art of Tennis" goes on sale
- Lawsuit Claims ATP Knew Stars Were Tied to Betting
- Rafael Nadal - Will He or Will He Not Win It?
- Rafter & Ivanisevic make their tips for WTF
- Lovely B&W shot of Rafa Nadal
- And some more photos
- More photos of Rafael Nadal & the rest
- Rafa wrapped up
- Federer - I may never get back to #1
- Belgrade "safe" for the Davis Cup
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