**2008 French Open – Legends Under 45 Doubles**
The 2008 French Open – Legends Under 45 Doubles was a senior tennis event held during the 2008 French Open, featuring former professional male players under the age of 45 competing in doubles matches. This invitational tournament showcased retired tennis legends in a competitive yet exhibition-style format on the clay courts of Roland Garros.
—
## Overview
The Legends Under 45 Doubles event at the 2008 French Open was part of the tournament’s efforts to celebrate the history of tennis by inviting former top players to compete in a doubles format. The event was designed for players aged under 45 who had retired from the main professional circuit but remained active in senior and exhibition competitions. It provided fans with an opportunity to see some of the sport’s most popular and successful players in action once again, often rekindling old rivalries and partnerships.
Held at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France, the event took place concurrently with the main men’s and women’s singles and doubles draws. Matches were played on the traditional red clay surface, which is known for its slower pace and higher bounce, favoring baseline rallies and strategic play.
—
## Format and Rules
The Legends Under 45 Doubles followed a round-robin format in the initial stage, with teams divided into groups. Each team played against all other teams in their group, and the top teams advanced to the final. Matches were typically best-of-three sets, but with modified scoring rules to accommodate the exhibition nature of the event and to reduce player fatigue. This often included a match tiebreak (first to 10 points) in lieu of a full third set.
The scoring and format aimed to balance competitiveness with entertainment, allowing players to showcase their skills while engaging the audience in a more relaxed atmosphere compared to the main professional draws.
—
## Participants
The 2008 edition featured a selection of former ATP Tour players who had made significant impacts during their careers. These players were invited based on their achievements, popularity, and availability. The event included notable doubles specialists as well as former singles stars who had transitioned to doubles in their later careers.
Some of the prominent participants included:
– **Mansour Bahrami**: Known for his entertaining style and trick shots, Bahrami was a crowd favorite in senior events.
– **Cédric Pioline**: A former French Open finalist and top French player, Pioline brought local interest to the event.
– **Goran Ivanišević**: The charismatic Croatian player and 2001 Wimbledon champion, known for his powerful serve.
– **Yevgeny Kafelnikov**: Former world No. 1 and multiple Grand Slam champion in both singles and doubles.
– **Anders Järryd**: A highly successful doubles player with multiple Grand Slam titles.
– **John McEnroe**: Although primarily associated with other senior events, McEnroe’s participation in similar tournaments added prestige.
The exact team compositions varied, with some players partnering with former rivals or compatriots, adding an element of intrigue to the matches.
—
## Group Stage
The group stage was divided into two groups, Group A and Group B, each consisting of several teams. Each team played round-robin matches against the others in their group. The standings were determined by the number of wins, with tiebreakers including the number of matches played, head-to-head results, and percentage of sets or games won.
### Group A
Group A featured a mix of former top singles and doubles players. The matches were competitive, with teams demonstrating a blend of tactical doubles play and individual shot-making skills. The clay surface tested the players’ adaptability, as many had been more accustomed to faster surfaces during their professional careers.
### Group B
Group B included several well-known doubles specialists and former singles stars. The matches were marked by spirited rallies and moments of brilliance, with players often engaging the crowd with their personalities and on-court banter.
—
## Final
The winners of Group A and Group B faced off in the final to determine the champions of the Legends Under 45 Doubles event. The final was played as a best-of-three sets match, with the possibility of a match tiebreak if required.
The final showcased high-quality doubles tennis, with both teams employing classic doubles strategies such as poaching, lobbing, and coordinated net play. The players’ experience and court awareness were evident, as they adapted their games to the slower clay surface and the unique dynamics of the senior event.
—
## Results
The 2008 French Open – Legends Under 45 Doubles title was claimed by the team of **Mansour Bahrami and Fabrice Santoro**. Their combination of Bahrami’s flair and Santoro’s tactical precision proved decisive throughout the tournament.
Bahrami and Santoro demonstrated excellent teamwork and creativity, often entertaining the crowd with unexpected shots and clever placements. Their victory was celebrated as a highlight of the senior events at Roland Garros that year.
The runners-up were **Cédric Pioline and Goran Ivanišević**, who also performed strongly throughout the event but ultimately fell short in the final. Their matches were characterized by powerful serving and aggressive net play, contrasting with the more finesse-oriented style of the champions.
—
## Significance
The Legends Under 45 Doubles event at the 2008 French Open contributed to the broader tradition of senior and legends tennis, which serves to honor past champions and maintain fan engagement beyond the main professional tours. It allowed former stars to remain visible to the public and provided a platform for celebrating tennis history in a festive and accessible manner.
The event also highlighted the enduring skills and competitive spirit of retired players, many of whom continued to play at a high level despite stepping away from the ATP Tour. For fans, it was an opportunity to relive memorable moments and witness the personalities that had shaped the sport.
—
## Legacy
The success of the 2008 Legends Under 45 Doubles helped solidify the place of senior events within Grand Slam tournaments. It demonstrated that there was significant interest in matches featuring former champions and that such events could complement the main draws by adding variety and nostalgia.
Subsequent editions of the French Open and other Grand Slams continued to feature legends and senior events, often expanding the formats and including players from different eras. These events have become a staple of the tennis calendar, contributing to the sport’s rich cultural heritage.
—
## Summary
The 2008 French Open – Legends Under 45 Doubles was a notable senior tennis event held at Roland Garros, featuring former professional players under 45 competing in a doubles format. The tournament combined competitive play with entertainment, culminating in a victory for Mansour Bahrami and Fabrice Santoro. The event celebrated tennis history and provided fans with a unique viewing experience alongside the main Grand Slam competition.
—
**Meta Description:**
The 2008 French Open – Legends Under 45 Doubles was a senior tennis event featuring former professional players competing in doubles at Roland Garros, won by Mansour Bahrami and Fabrice Santoro.