FFT officials have expressed confidence here that the planned expansion of Roland Garros will be completed in 2020 ©Getty Images

Officials from the French Tennis Federation (FFT) have expressed confidence here that the planned expansion of Roland Garros will be completed in 2020 after a Paris High Court ruling allowed them to press ahead with constructing a new 5,000-seater arena at the site in the French capital.

A protracted legal battle due to local opposition to the plans had sparked concerns that the refurbishment project, which also includes putting a roof on the main Philippe Chatrier court, may never be given the green light.

These fears intensified at the beginning of October when a court in France ordered the redevelopment work, which is set to cost around €350 million (£313 million/$382 million), be suspended in the wake of criticism from environmental groups.

They claimed it would harm vegetation at the nearby Serres d'Auteuil botanical garden which has 19th century greenhouses.

The Tribunal de Grande Instance (TGI), however, dismissed the suggestions last week and insisted the expansion had no impact on the greenhouses.

The news provided a boost to both the FFT and to Paris 2024 as Roland Garros has been earmarked to stage tennis, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and boxing should the French capital be successful with its bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

FFT officials told insidethegames here at SPORTELMonaco that they were "confident" the 5,000-seater venue, which is due to complement existing facilities, would be built by its original deadline of 2020.

The roof above the Phillipe Chatrier, the venue's showpiece court which plays host to all of the French Open finals, is then expected to be finished by 2021.

A roof over the Philippe Chatrier showpiece court could be in place by 2021 ©Getty Images
A roof over the Philippe Chatrier showpiece court could be in place by 2021 ©Getty Images

The FFT are also targeting 2021 for the first night matches to be held at the French Open, the second Grand Slam of the year on the international tennis calendar, played on Roland Garros’ iconic red clay.

All of the three other Grand Slam tournaments - the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open - have the capability to host matches in the evenings.

Wimbledon, staged at the All England Club, installed a roof over its main showpiece court in 2009.

Providing there are no further legal hitches, the expansion work at Roland Garros would be ready in time to stage Olympic and Paralympic events in 2024 if Paris beats off competition from Los Angeles, Budapest and Rome to secure the hosting rights for the event.

The FFT have yet to clear the final hurdle, however, as the court will examine the final document detailing the plans on November 3.

Providing that test is passed, construction work will then be able to resume.