How about a story about a tennis legend? We are standing in Place Henri Cochet. This place is named after Henri Cochet. He was a famous French tennis player. Place Henri Cochet sits in front of the Palais des Sports. The Palais des Sports is a large spherical building. It has two stories. The building features extensive glass and a concrete structure. The square provides a large open space in front.
Henri Cochet was born in Villeurbanne on December 14, 1901. He died on April 1, 1987, in Saint Germain en Laye. Cochet spent his childhood at the Lyon tennis club. It was near the Parc de la Tête d’Or. His father worked there. Cochet’s victories over Tilden inspired a generation of players.
Cochet was one of the “Four Musketeers” of French tennis. He won six Davis Cups. He also won many titles in doubles and mixed doubles. As a singles player, he won prestigious tournaments. These included Forrest Hills, Wimbledon, and Roland Garros four times. He was the world’s best player from 1928 to 1931. He also won a silver medal at the Olympic Games. This is considered the greatest achievement in Lyon sports.
Henri Cochet also owned a sports shop in Lyon. He wrote books about tennis technique and history. A stadium in Caluire, owned by Lyon, also honors him. Before him, Joseph and Auguste Cochet were executed after the siege of Lyon in 1793. Claude Ennemond Balthazard Cochet, born in 1760 and died in 1835, was an architect. He was a member of the Lyon Academy.
Place Henri Cochet came into being with the construction of the Palais des Sports in 1962. Since then, it has been the site of many sporting events. The Lyon Grand Prix tennis tournament has been held at the Palais des Sports since 1987. Top players like Mac Enroe, Agassi, and Federer have played here. In 1991, the Davis Cup final took place here. Henri Leconte and Guy Forget secured France’s first victory. It was the first time since Cochet’s last win. They won against Pete Sampras. The Lyon marathon and indoor trial are held at the Palais des Sports each year. The ASUL volleyball team plays its matches here too. The world acrobatic rock championship has taken place here since 1991. In its early years, the Palais des Sports also hosted concerts. Artists like Eddy Mitchell and Genesis performed here.
The venue can hold 7,999 people. The city of Lyon owns it. In 2020, the Palais was used as a COVID-19 testing and vaccination center. Place Henri Cochet and the Palais des Sports stand as a testament to Lyon’s sporting history. It celebrates Henri Cochet’s legacy.