the strange court n°1, the largest ice rink in the capital

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The pipes are running at full speed. A slight air conditioning comes to touch the reels, under blinding spotlights. On the handful of rows, the spectators talk quietly a few meters from the athletes. For a few, it would even be enough to bend down to touch one of them. Overhanging, a ceiling of around ten meters, which gives old-fashioned charm. This environment represents the second largest court of the Rolex Paris Masters, at the Accor Arena in Bercy (12th).

“The best ice cream in Île-de-France”

Every year, in the fall, the best tennis players join the Parisian venue to participate in one of the nine Masters 1000 of the professional circuit. The calendar has hardly changed since the creation of the tournament, in 1986. If the large central court, equipped with more than 16 000 places occupies a preponderant place, the annexes give a separate identity to this tournament.

This is the case of short number 1. This space of 1,500 square meterswhich can accommodate up to 500 people, represents the largest permanent ice rink in the capital. Normally, she is named Sonja-Henie, in homage to the former Norwegian skater, triple Olympic champion. This is almost an anomaly. In the capital, the only other ice rink is located in the 19th arrondissement, at the Pailleron sports area. But the dimensions turn out to be more modest than at Bercy.

The latter even prides itself on being “ the best ice cream in Île-de-France“. No wonder that one of the historic clubs of the French ice hockey championship, the French Ruffleschose to settle there. In the evening, the heavy suits take over from the general public and the skaters. Entering the enclosure requires paying four to five euros.

Then, in the fall, the ice rink becomes a court hard inside . After several changes, the surface has been slowed down in recent years. But it is characterized by aincreased speedwith regard to the Central. And slips are legion. By observing the movements of players, it is not uncommon to see them trip over their feet. “We don’t see this anywhere else,” slips a spectator to his neighbor.

For fans of the game, court number 1 will soon be a memory. The tournament will pack up its Bercy boxes. Direction Paris La Défense Arena, in Nanterre (Hauts-de-Seine). In the largest indoor venue in Europe, no ice rink will be set up. The courts will be surrounded by more spacious stands. Too bad for the proximity and the groans of the players, particularly audible in the small room. So much the better for figure skating fans. They will reclaim the place during the All Saints’ Day holidays.

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