What Is 2009 Open Sud de France

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2009 Open Sud de France was a men's ATP World Tour 250 tennis event held in Montpellier, France, from February 2 to February 8, 2009. Paul-Henri Mathieu won the singles title by defeating Philipp Kohlschreiber in the final.

Key Facts

The 2009 Open Sud de France took place from February 2–8, 2009, in Montpellier, France.
It was an ATP World Tour 250-level tournament played on indoor hard courts.
Paul-Henri Mathieu won the singles title, defeating Philipp Kohlschreiber 7–5, 6–3 in the final.
The tournament featured a 32-player singles draw and 16-team doubles draw.
Gilles Simon, ranked No. 13 at the time, was the top seed but lost in the quarterfinals.

Overview

The 2009 Open Sud de France was a professional men's tennis tournament held as part of the ATP World Tour 250 series. It took place at the Arena Montpellier in Montpellier, France, from February 2 to February 8, 2009, marking the 21st edition of the event. Played on indoor hard courts, the tournament attracted a mix of top European players and rising talents.

As a key early-season indoor event, the Open Sud de France served as preparation for players ahead of the bigger ATP tournaments. The 2009 edition featured a 32-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles draw, with prize money totaling €398,250. It was one of only two ATP tournaments held in France outside of Roland Garros at the time.

Event Dates: The tournament ran from February 2 to February 8, 2009, aligning with the early indoor swing of the ATP calendar.
Location: Matches were held at the Arena Montpellier, a modern indoor sports complex with a capacity of approximately 7,000 spectators.
Surface: The event was played on indoor hard courts, a surface known for its fast-paced, consistent bounce favoring aggressive baseliners.
Prize Money: The total purse was €398,250, with the singles champion earning €53,600 and 250 ATP ranking points.
Attendance: Despite being a smaller ATP 250 event, the tournament drew strong local support, with over 30,000 fans attending across the week.

How It Works

The Open Sud de France follows the standard ATP World Tour 250 tournament structure, featuring qualifying rounds, a main draw, and a doubles competition. Players earn ATP ranking points based on their performance, with progression through each round increasing their point total.

ATP 250 Status:ATP 250 tournaments award 250 points to the winner and are part of the broader ATP Tour structure below Masters 1000 and Grand Slam events.
Singles Draw: The main draw consists of 32 players, with 8 seeded based on ATP rankings; top seeds receive first-round byes in some events, but not in 2009.
Doubles Format: The doubles competition featured 16 teams, using best-of-three tiebreak sets, with a match tiebreak replacing the third set.
Qualifying Rounds:Eight players advanced from qualifying to the main draw, competing in a 24-player preliminary tournament held before the main event.
Seeding System: The top seed in 2009 was Gilles Simon (No. 13 ATP), with other notable seeds including Paul-Henri Mathieu and Philipp Kohlschreiber.
Match Format: All matches were played in a best-of-three sets format, with standard ATP tiebreak rules applied at 6–6 in any set.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2009 Open Sud de France can be compared to other ATP 250 events in terms of structure, prize money, and player field strength. The table below highlights key metrics.

Tournament	Location	Surface	Prize Money	Winner (Singles)
Open Sud de France 2009	Montpellier, France	Indoor Hard	€398,250	Paul-Henri Mathieu
Rotterdam Open 2009	Rotterdam, Netherlands	Indoor Hard	€775,000	Andy Murray
Argentina Open 2009	Buenos Aires, Argentina	Clay (Outdoor)	$500,000	Tommy Robredo
Chennai Open 2009	Chennai, India	Outdoor Hard	$420,000	Mikhail Youzhny
Marseille Open 2009	Marseille, France	Indoor Hard	€470,000	Robin Söderling

The Open Sud de France had a smaller prize fund than other early-season indoor events like Rotterdam or Marseille, reflecting its regional focus. However, it provided valuable ranking points and preparation for clay-court season, especially for French players. The tournament's move to Montpellier in 2010 made the 2009 edition the last held in its previous location format.

Why It Matters

The 2009 Open Sud de France played a significant role in the ATP calendar, offering players a competitive indoor environment early in the year. Its results influenced early-season rankings and provided momentum for players heading into bigger tournaments.

French Representation:Paul-Henri Mathieu’s victory was a national highlight, boosting morale for French tennis fans early in the season.
Ranking Impact: Winning 250 ATP points helped Mathieu improve his position in the ATP rankings, aiding qualification for higher-tier events.
Preparation for Season: The indoor hard court format served as ideal preparation for the US Open Series and other fast-court tournaments.
Player Development: Younger players used the event to gain experience against top-50 opponents in a pressure-filled ATP setting.
Tournament Legacy: The 2009 edition contributed to the growing prestige of French indoor tennis, paving the way for future events in Montpellier.
Media Exposure: Broadcast across Europe, the tournament increased visibility for sponsors and local economic impact in the host city.

Ultimately, the 2009 Open Sud de France was more than just a minor ATP stop—it was a strategic milestone for players and organizers alike, blending competitive intensity with national pride.