At the end of the clay court, there is a trophy. A handcrafted piece, rich in history and symbolism, imagined by the House of Mellerio to celebrate the greatest victories in tennis.
From May 18, tennis fans will once again thrill to the rhythm of balls struck by the world’s best players on the clay courts of Roland Garros. On June 6 (women’s final) and June 7 (men’s final), the champions will lift their trophy – the ultimate reward of this highly anticipated competition. These trophies are designed by Mellerio. Let’s take a closer look at the history of the men’s trophy: the Coupe des Mousquetaires.
Match, set… trophy: the birth of an icon
After several weeks of competition, the winner of Roland Garros 2026 will still need some strength to raise the 14 kilograms of silver that make up the Coupe des Mousquetaires, the tournament’s iconic trophy created in 1981.
At the time, Philippe Chatrier, then president of the French Tennis Federation, launched a call for proposals to Parisian jewelers to restore prestige to the trophy awarded for the Roland Garros Men’s Singles, with a few conditions. The trophy had to symbolize the victories of four great French tennis players: Jacques Brugnon, Jean Borotra, Henri Cochet, and René Lacoste – known as the “Four Musketeers.”
Among renowned competitors, Mellerio won the bid. The tournament teams were captivated by the elegance and refinement of the design proposed by the goldsmith and jeweler. The House envisioned a wide-bowled cup, adorned with a frieze of vine leaves and decorated with two swan-shaped handles.
A creation in several stages
The original Roland Garros trophy exists in only one copy. Each year, it leaves the Federation’s office to be lifted by the tournament winner before returning there. The champion takes home only a replica, smaller than the original – 21 centimeters high and 19 centimeters wide.
This replica is crafted by the House’s silversmiths in over a hundred hours. For a month, these masters of metal transform a simple sheet of silver into a work worthy of the finest museums – a testament to French artisanal expertise.
In the workshops, the creation of the trophy follows a precise sequence of steps, where each artisan plays a key role. The spinning silversmith begins the process by shaping the sheet of silver, giving it form and volume, bringing the silhouette of the cup to life.
The caster then takes over, creating decorative elements such as the handles and ornaments from molten metal. The chaser refines the details, sharpening the motifs and adding the necessary delicacy to each piece.
Once all the elements are ready, the silversmith assembles and solders them together, ensuring both cohesion and strength. The polisher then reveals the brilliance of the metal with a lustrous finish. Finally, the engraver completes the work by inscribing the winner’s name on the base, anchoring the trophy in the tournament’s history.
Thus, far more than a simple trophy, the Coupe des Mousquetaires embodies the meeting of athletic performance and artisanal excellence. Winner of the 2025 edition after an epic final against Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz lifted this history-laden cup. In 2026, a new champion will in turn inscribe their name on this exceptional trophy, perpetuating the legend of Roland Garros.
Mellerio: a story of craftsmanship… and sport
Founded in 1613 by a family from Val Vigezzo in Italy, the House of Mellerio embodies an extraordinary history – that of the oldest jewelry house in the world still in operation, remaining family-owned and independent for fourteen generations.
Established in Paris as early as the 17th century, it cemented its place in the luxury landscape by setting up on rue de la Paix in 1815, becoming one of the first houses to occupy this iconic address. In the 19th century, Mellerio experienced significant growth: it attracted Europe’s great courts, expanded into Spain from 1850, and stood out at the World’s Fairs of 1855, 1862, and 1867, where it was awarded for the quality and innovation of its creations.
Throughout its history, the House has combined tradition and modernity, filing patents and developing innovative techniques. In the 20th century, it broadened its scope by collaborating with major fashion houses such as Dior, Balmain, and Balenciaga, while continuing its silversmithing activity and entering the world of sport.
It has created iconic trophies, including the Ballon d’Or in 1956 and, of course, the Coupe des Mousquetaires in 1981. Today, with more than four centuries of history, Mellerio continues to uphold exceptional craftsmanship.
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Featured photo : DR
