Nov. 6 (Bloomberg) -- French Open organizers may move the tennis tournament to another venue in Paris following political uncertainty over an extension at its current site.

Plans to build a new stadium with a retractable roof at a five-minute walk from its current site at Roland Garros have been stalled because of “political problems” in the city, Gilbert Ysern, tournament director of the French Open, said in an interview yesterday.

“We are facing serious problems with this project,” said Ysern, who is also general director of the French Tennis Federation. “They tell us it’s difficult at this stage, and that they can’t promise us it will be possible.”

Plans to build the 120 million-euro venue ($178.5 million), had been unveiled by Ysern during this year’s French Open in May. At the time, the French Tennis Federation said it would pay 80 million euros of the cost, with Paris contributing another 20 million euros and the French government funding the remainder. Over the years, the federation has invested 200 million euros in the Roland Garros complex.

The clay-court Grand Slam is now looking at two alternatives, Ysern said. It may replace its Suzanne Lenglen Stadium on the current site with a bigger venue, as well as putting a temporary roof over its main Court Philippe Chatrier.

The alternative is to leave Roland Garros and relocate the tournament to another suburb of Paris. The Disneyland Resort Paris site is one of the options being looked at, Ysern said.

“Paris city hall and its political majority wants the French Open to stay in Paris,” the Associated Press quoted city hall officials as saying on Nov. 4. “We are well aware of the necessity for the French tennis federation to modernize its facilities to stay competitive. We want to find a solution in this area.”

To contact the reporter on this story: Danielle Rossingh at the London sports desk at drossingh@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 5, 2009 18:01 EST