
The French Open could be forced into a "heartbreaking" move away from Paris in the next few years due to problems with the infrastructure at Roland Garros.
Organisers have long considered ways of extending the current stadia but these have stalled because of opposition from the public and environmentalists.
And tournament director Gilbert Ysern explained: "We have two options, make it bigger or move out.
"It would be heartbreaking to leave Paris but we have to consider it."
A final decision on whether the tournament will remain in Paris is expected during a general assembly of the French Tennis Federation scheduled for next February.
"Over the last 10 years, the three other grand slam tournaments have progressed, notably in terms of infrastructure, but we haven't," Ysern added, referring to the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open.
"Roland Garros cannot stay the way it is."
The French Open attracts 450,000 spectators during the fortnight it takes place, but Ysern revealed that world number one Roger Federer had given him a "long list of complaints" about the Paris tournament.
This year's French Open runs from 24 May to 6 June.
I've read that the new sites being looked at are:
- Marne-la-Vallee to the east of Paris near Disneyland
- Versailles, near the grounds of the chateau, to the west
- Evry-Bondoufle, in the south, on a disused racecourse
- Gonesse, in the north.
I can just picture the traditionalists getting all upset and hot under the collar over this.