At exactly 9:01 PM, as the final whistle echoed, the sounds of jubilation erupting from the nearby Parc des Princes and the thunder of celebratory fireworks drifted over the courts of Roland-Garros. Despite the absence of giant screens to broadcast the Champions League final, the spirit of the Paris-SG victory against Arsenal (1-1, 4-3 on penalties) was felt in every corner of the tennis grounds.
When Gabriel’s decisive strike secured the title for Paris-SG, a wave of cheers rippled through the stadium walkways. Security personnel in navy uniforms were seen embracing, while fans sprinted through the alleys in excitement. On the show courts, the atmosphere shifted momentarily; the chair umpire for the Félix Auger-Aliassime and Brandon Nakashima match even paused play, allowing the historic news to settle over the crowd.
The chants from the neighboring stadium were unmistakable at the Porte d’Auteuil, yet visual confirmation was hard to find. Following the precedent set during previous major finals, tournament organizers chose not to install screens for football fans. The Place des Mousquetaires remained dedicated to the exploits of Moïse Kouame, Coco Gauff, and Félix Auger-Aliassime, while the large displays at the Suzanne-Lenglen court stayed strictly focused on tennis. The decision was clear: Roland-Garros is a sanctuary for tennis, and distracting the crowd from the athletes’ efforts on the clay was not on the agenda.
Tension and triumph in the press center
Throughout the evening, the tournament maintained its traditional, reserved ambiance. For many, it was as if the high-stakes clash between PSG and Arsenal was happening in a different world, overshadowed by the local tennis passion. However, subtle signs of the football fever were visible, with several spectators sporting PSG jerseys featuring names like Kimpembe or Pauleta, and a few Arsenal supporters wearing Bergkamp kits.
Inside the Suzanne-Lenglen stadium, as Alejandro Tabilo and Kouame battled, some fans couldn’t help but check their phones. A small roar broke out when Ousmane Dembélé leveled the score at 1-1 in the 65th minute. While the stands remained largely composed, the real intensity was found beneath the Philippe-Chatrier court.
The press room was one of the rare havens where the match was broadcast on several screens. It became the epicenter of the night’s drama, with the atmosphere reaching a fever pitch during the penalty shootout. The room was split into two distinct camps—the British press on one side and the French on the other—before the Paris-SG squad finally claimed their place at the top of European football, ending the day on a high note for the home city.
