By Liza Horan

New York—There's nothing like seeing the crushed red clay glisten in the sunlight on a crisp morning at Roland Garros. The leafy border of the Bois de Bologne trees peek over the tennis center's iron fence as if the birds and squirrels are trying to catch the action. The burnt brick color is beautifully balanced by the green trees and the neutral concrete structures around the place. The muted bounce of balls is zen and broken by lighthearted chatter and studious applause.

Nothing can compete with being courtside at the French Open.

So, if you're stuck east of the Atlantic Ocean for the next fortnight, here's a guide to enjoying Roland Garros with as much French flair as possible.

1. Decide if you want to be informed of the action in real time or if you want to watch the action live or delayed.

Quick Links (links open in new browser window)

OFFICIAL SITE: RolandGarros.com TV SCHEDULES: ESPN2 Tennis Channel DirecTV ESPN360.com MEDIA COVERAGE: TENNIS.com TennisLife.com ESPN.com SI.com NYTimes.com MiamiHerald.com USAToday.com LATimes.com FUN! TennisPuzzles.com RELATED SITES TennisWire.org Twitter.com/tenniswire

Want the results as they happen?
Set your browser home page to http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/ in your "Internet Options." That's the English version of the official website and you'll find live scores, interview transcripts, player profiles, photos and more.

Want to watch live or delayed on TV?
Stick to ESPN2 for more than 50 hours of coverage. And the Tennis Channel for more than 100 hours, if you have it. And DirecTV if you have it for more than 350 hours of coverage. And if you understand espanol, watch ESPN Deportes.
     DirecTV's "French Open Mix Channel" is a crazy-cool screen that allows you to watch the action of up to six matches simultaneously. So, you could be watching a men's match and a women's match at the same time, and choose the audio for one of the matches. The image at left shows what appears on your TV while watching six matches. Of course, the option to watch one match at a time is available, too. DirecTV has partnered with the Tennis Channel to provide this coverage.

Want to watch live or delayed online?
Head to ESPN360.com if you have broadband access through AT&T Yahoo, Verizon or Frontier.

2. Find your favorite sources of independent media coverage.
The official websites of tournaments are great for the lush information they provide, but don't be fooled—you'll always get the news they want to feed you. Be sure to check coverage by newspapers like MiamiHerald.com, IHT.com, USAToday.com; and tennis magazines like TENNIS.com and TennisLife.com; sports magazines like ESPN.com/tennis and SI.com/tennis; and bloggers (not associated with publications) like DownTheLine and TennisServedFresh.
     There are far too many great sources of alternative tennis coverage to list here, so leave a COMMENT with your favorite.

3. Get the scoop. Give the scoop.
The greatest thing about Twitter is the short, fast bursts of facts and opinions. The worst part is it's addicting. It's a level playing field where the media, manufacturers, tournaments, pros and fans constantly share info and discuss the news. It's fun. To see this writer's favorite Tweeters, head to www.twitter.com/tenniswire and click on "following."

4. Grab a real French meal.
If you were in Paris—and doing it right—you'd be enjoying gastronomical delights like jambon et fromage baguette, croissant chocolat, cafe au lait, une salade chevre and much more. So, email your tennis friends and set some dates to meet for petit dejeuner, dejeuner or diner. Or brunch.
     The only authentic French fare that has many locations in 15 countries that this francophile writer can recommend is Le Pain Quotidien ("the daily bread;" their sandwiches are pictured). Click here to see if one of its nearly 40 U.S. locations is near you.
     Have any other suggestions? Please share it by leaving a COMMENT.

5. Get out and play on clay.
Grand Slam tennis is aspirational. It's simply hard to sit still watching such talent. So, if you can find some red clay courts near you, head over and get dirty diving for balls.
     Tip: Bring a spoon and a baggy with you. When no one's looking, scoop some of the red clay from the back court into a baggy for the next idea...

6. Plan a French Open Final viewing party.
Gather your friends at your place or a local club to watch the final matches. Get French-themed treats and favors, and decorate in French flag colors (red/white/blue) or Roland Garros colors (green/brick/white) or both.
     Suggested shopping list:
- Beverages: Perrier, Orangina, Champagne, French press coffee
- Savory snacks: Bite-sized sausages, French cheeses (garnish with grapes, figs and dried abricots), mini quiches, deli-sliced ham
- Continental breakfast: Croissants, baguette, marmalade and fruit confiture, Nutella
     Suggested party favors:
- Fill tiny jam jars (like they serve in hotels) with the red clay and tie an appropriately colors ribbon around it.
- Fill a bag with soft madeline cookies (sold at Starbucks) and individual packets of Nutella (sold on Amazon here)
- Print out copies of French Open-themed games from TennisPuzzles.com (HelloTennis' sister site!)

Finally, keep a little jar of red clay on your desk, even if it's from your town club. Looking at it when deep in work, it'll lighten you up. Tennis does that, doesn't it?

Personal note: I have a little French jam jar filled with clay from center court on my desk. Once the stadium cleared and the post-match interviews were done after the 1996 French Open men's final,  I sneaked down to the court to take photos and gather my sample of the terre battue. It was my first time covering the tournament (for TENNIS.com), and it was magical.

Please COMMENT on how you will be enjoying this year's French Open. Merci!