Gael Monfils is just one of the many tennis stars painted at the French Open by Joel Blanc.
Home hero —
Gael Monfils is just one of the many tennis stars painted at the French Open by Joel Blanc.
A relative latecomer to tennis, the 68-year-old has been a feature at Roland Garros every June for the past decade.
Making an impression —
A relative latecomer to tennis, the 68-year-old has been a feature at Roland Garros every June for the past decade.
Leading players Rafael Nadal (pictured) and Roger Federer are fans of the Frenchman's work and own some of his paintings.
The 'King of Clay' —
Leading players Rafael Nadal (pictured) and Roger Federer are fans of the Frenchman's work and own some of his paintings.
CNN
Blanc has been painting each year from the side of the Philippe Chatrier court since first being invited in 2004.
Painter to the stars —
Blanc has been painting each year from the side of the Philippe Chatrier court since first being invited in 2004.
CNN
Blanc on Serena Williams (pictured): "I would be afraid to have to fight against Serena if I were a little player like Li Na. But the problem is not if you are big, it's in the hand, the racket, the way to play and the strategy."
World No. 1 —
Blanc on Serena Williams (pictured): "I would be afraid to have to fight against Serena if I were a little player like Li Na. But the problem is not if you are big, it's in the hand, the racket, the way to play and the strategy."
CNN
Blanc is not alone in painting the French Open. Franck Lehodey here recreates Monfils' clash with Dick Norman in 2006.
Nice view —
Blanc is not alone in painting the French Open. Franck Lehodey here recreates Monfils' clash with Dick Norman in 2006.
CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images
Nadal receives a painting from artist Frederique Lorin as a birthday present. It shows Nadal celebrating after defeating Nicolas Almagro at the French Open in 2008.
Birthday present —
Nadal receives a painting from artist Frederique Lorin as a birthday present. It shows Nadal celebrating after defeating Nicolas Almagro at the French Open in 2008.
PIERRE VERDY/AFP/Getty Images
Artwork can be seen all around the Stade Roland Garros complex. Here a woman paints stadium signage on day five of the 2007 French Open.
Art for art's sake —
Artwork can be seen all around the Stade Roland Garros complex. Here a woman paints stadium signage on day five of the 2007 French Open.
Clive Rose/Getty Images