Yannick Noah was nervous.
There was even that night after the finals, long after he had retired, and it was late, and after many drinks had been consumed, he convinced the staff to keep the lights on just bright enough and let him and his friends play some tipsy, barefoot tennis on the red clay.
But he had never performed on Philippe Chatrier court like this, which is to say, never given a concert as the version of himself that has for the past three decades dominated his life: the African-pop-reggae star of sorts.
“I lived my best moment here,” he said later, during a news conference more packed than it would have been for any active player.
“I have memories everywhere here, including my first kiss.”
Persons:
Yannick Noah, Roland Garros, Philippe Chatrier, Noah, “, ”