Eight days before the final weekend of the French Open tennis tournament, Benjamin Millepied, a renowned French choreographer, was tasked with an unusual assignment. He needed to create two short dance performances, each to precede the finals of the women’s and men’s matches.
During a rehearsal, Millepied instructed his dancers, “Remember you can’t touch it!” This was said as the dancers moved fluidly over an imaginary net on an imaginary tennis court. He emphasized the importance of spatial awareness by playing Rosalía’s song “Reliqua” once more, reminding them that the court’s layout was much larger, and encouraging them to expand their movements accordingly.
Millepied highlighted the similarities between dance and tennis, stating, “Tennis is an art of change of direction, as is dance.” This insight serves as the essence of his choreography for the event. Traditionally, the tournament has featured opening ceremonies for the final matches, but this year, Amelie Mauresmo, the tournament director, wanted something more impactful. Her vision was for bold, dynamic dances to enhance the grand occasion.
This project presented a unique challenge for Millepied, requiring creativity and adaptability to blend the art of dance with the spirit of tennis.