2017 French Open: 7 unknown facts about the Grand Slam

#4 The Women’s singles tournament began six years after the first Men’s Singles tournament

The first ever Women’s Singles tournament at the French Open was held in 1897

The French Open began in 1891 but till 1897, only the Men’s Singles tournament was held. The first Women’s singles tournament was held in 1897 with only four entrants who were residents of Paris.

The first ever French Open Women’s Singles title was won by France’s Adine Masson who defeated compatriot P. Birod 6-3, 6-1 in the final. Masson won the tournament another four times in 1898, 1899, 1902, and 1903, beating Birod in the 1902 final.