What is the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen?
Every year at Roland Garros, the winner of the women's singles final lifts one of the most iconic trophies in tennis, the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen.
More than just a silver cup, the trophy represents excellence, history, and the enduring legacy of one of the greatest pioneers in women's sport.
Named after French tennis legend Suzanne Lenglen, the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen has been awarded to the French Open women's singles champion since 1979 and remains one of the most coveted prizes in world tennis.
What is the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen?
The Coupe Suzanne Lenglen is the official trophy presented to the winner of the women's singles competition at the French Open, the clay-court Grand Slam tournament held annually at Roland Garros in Paris.
The trophy symbolizes success at one of tennis' most demanding events, where champions must navigate two weeks of competition on the sport's slowest and most physically challenging surface.
Winning the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen places a player among some of the greatest names in tennis history, including Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, Serena Williams, Justine Henin, Iga Swiatek, and many others.
Who was Suzanne Lenglen?
Suzanne Lenglen remains one of the most influential figures tennis has ever produced. Born in 1899, the French star revolutionized women's tennis during the 1910s and 1920s with a style that was both athletic and elegant.
Nicknamed "La Divine" (The Divine One), Lenglen dominated the sport at a time when women's tennis was still developing internationally.
Her achievements include:
Six French Championships Singles Titles
Lenglen won six singles crowns in Paris before the tournament became known as Roland Garros.
Two Olympic Gold Medals
She captured Olympic gold medals at the 1920 Antwerp Games, cementing her global reputation.
21 Grand Slam Titles
Across singles, doubles and mixed doubles, Lenglen amassed 21 major titles.
A remarkable winning streak
She recorded approximately 171 consecutive victories during her peak years, an extraordinary feat in any era.
Beyond her success, Lenglen changed perceptions of women in sport. Her aggressive playing style, athletic movement, and confidence helped modernize women's tennis and inspire future generations.
The design of the trophy
The Coupe Suzanne Lenglen is modeled after a historic silver cup originally presented to Suzanne Lenglen by the City of Nice during her playing career. The original trophy remains preserved at France's National Sports Museum.
Its elegant silver design reflects the prestige associated with Roland Garros and the legacy of the woman whose name it bears.
Unlike many sporting trophies, the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen serves as both a championship prize and a tribute to one of tennis' most important pioneers.
The connection to the Coupe des Mousquetaires
The influence of the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen extends beyond the women's game. When the French Tennis Federation commissioned a redesign of the men's trophy in the early 1980s, the jeweler Mellerio drew inspiration from the Suzanne Lenglen Cup.
The result was the creation of the Coupe des Mousquetaires, awarded to the men's singles champion and named after France's legendary "Four Musketeers" of tennis.
Together, the two trophies represent the highest achievements at Roland Garros.
Court Suzanne-Lenglen
Suzanne Lenglen's legacy is also permanently embedded within the Roland Garros grounds. The tournament's second-largest stadium, Court Suzanne-Lenglen, is named in her honor.
With a capacity of more than 10,000 spectators, the venue regularly hosts some of the tournament's biggest matches and serves as a reminder of Lenglen's lasting impact on French and global tennis.
Why the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen matters
The Coupe Suzanne Lenglen is more than a trophy. It represents sporting excellence, women's empowerment, and nearly a century of tennis history.
For every player who competes at Roland Garros, lifting the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen means joining an exclusive list of champions who have conquered one of the sport's greatest challenges.
As tennis continues to evolve, Suzanne Lenglen's influence remains visible in every generation of players who step onto the clay courts of Paris with dreams of lifting the famous silver cup.
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