By Rafiq Vayani
PARIS: Spotlighting its longstanding passion and far-reaching support for sports, Emirates hosted a celebration of sports day at Roland-Garros 2026, bringing together key influential figures from the industry – from athletes and legends to executives and journalists.
Legendary athletes such as global ambassador for Arsenal FC Robert Pires; Gaël Monfil, French tennis legend that just bid his farewell to Roland-Garros last week, William Servat, Assistant Coach for the France National Rugby Team; AC Milan legacy Massimo Oddo; Yoann Huget, former France National Rugby Team player; ex-ATP professional Julien Benneteau, master of ceremony of the day; Sonny Anderson, a Brazilian legendary figure in both French and Spanish football; former NBA and French National Team player Ronny Turiaf, were hosted in Emirates Suite. Emirates brand ambassador Aryna Sabalenka also joined, in the midst of her busy match schedule at Roland-Garros.
Legendary athletes such as global ambassador for Arsenal FC Robert Pires; Gaël Monfil, French tennis legend that just bid his farewell to Roland-Garros last week, William Servat, Assistant Coach for the France National Rugby Team; AC Milan legacy Massimo Oddo; Yoann Huget, former France National Rugby Team player; ex-ATP professional Julien Benneteau, master of ceremony of the day; Sonny Anderson, a Brazilian legendary figure in both French and Spanish football; former NBA and French National Team player Ronny Turiaf, were hosted in Emirates Suite.
Key executives from some of the biggest clubs and tournaments such as World Rugby, AC Milan, Olympique Lyonnais, ATP Tour, SailGP, European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) and France National Rugby Sevens Team also attended, celebrating the talent that work off-pitch too. Amélie Mauresmo Tournament Director of Roland-Garros and Cédric Pioline Tournament Director of Rolex Paris Masters also joined Emirates in their Suite.
Serving up its renowned world-class hospitality, guests enjoyed including multi-course meals, afternoon tea, Dom Pérignon champagne tasting and the airline’s refined caviar ritual. The experience is complemented by an array of accompaniments including crispy melba toast, soft blinis, egg yolk, egg white, chives, white onions, sour cream, and lemon, alongside a decadent Dom Pérignon champagne tasting.
Throughout the tournament, Emirates will continue to host distinguished guests from its extensive sport sponsorship portfolio, in the airline’s two exclusive hospitality spaces at Roland-Garros — the Emirates Lounge in the Hospitality Village and Salon Philippe-Chatrier, offering premium experiences and exceptional views of the action on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Emirates has been a proud supporter of sports for almost 40 years with its first sponsorship in 1987 at the powerboat race held in Dubai. Since then, the airline’s portfolio has grown significantly to include the world’s most beloved, most played and most watched sports across tennis, rugby, football, basketball, cycling, golf, horse-racing, cricket, sailing and even Aussie Rules Football.
Today, the airline sponsors more than 187 teams, tournaments and events. Emirates uses its platform to support local communities, connect with customers worldwide, and bring fans together to celebrate shared passions.
