When does the French Open start and what channel is it on?

Everything you need to know as the second Slam event of the year gets under way in Roland Garros 

James Mariner
Friday 20 May 2016 16:35 BST
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2009 French Open winner Roger Federer sits out Roland Garros for the first time in 18 years
2009 French Open winner Roger Federer sits out Roland Garros for the first time in 18 years

The 115th French Open starts on Sunday at Roland Garros and runs through to Sunday 5 June. Live coverage will be shown daily in Britain on ITV4 (9.30am till 9pm BST) and also Eurosport (9.30am to 8pm).

This year's tournament will be the first Grand Slam that former world No 1 Roger Federer has missed since 1998, the Swiss pulling out on Thursday with a back injury. The 34-year-old hurt his back in preparation for the Madrid Open earlier this month. Home favourite Gael Monfils also withdrew on Friday.

Andy Murray has seen his odds slashed to 4-1 for the tournament after impressive form in recent weeks, beating Novak Djokovic to win the Rome Masters last weekend a week after losing to the Serb in the Madrid Open finale. The Scot also made the semi-finals in Monte Carlo in April, losing to Rafa Nadal.

Andy Murray begins his French Open campaign against a qualifier this weekend 

Last season's semi-final was the third time Murray had made the last four at Roland Garros, losing in straight sets to Nadal in 2011 and 2014 before losing out in five sets to top seed Djokovic 12 months ago. Britain has not had a men's singles finalist in France since 1937.

Aljaz Bedene and Kyle Edmund join second seed Murray in the men's draw, while Konta, seeded 20, is joined by Heather Watson, Laura Robson and Naomi Broady.

Stan Wawrinka, shocked Djokovic to win last year's men's final, while Serena Williams beat Lucie Safarova in the women's event for her title on the Parisian clay.

Johanna Konta is seeded for the first time in a Grand Slam after a breakthrough year that saw her reach the fourth round at the US Open last summer before making the semi-final of the Australian Open earlier this year.

Johanna Konta has been drawn against Julia Goerges in her Slam debut as a seed 

Prize money at this year's tournament totals £25.4m, with both singles winners pocketing £1.6m apiece. Even those reaching just the third round take home £79,400.

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