Forty years after he became the first name on the trophy, Boris Becker will hand it to someone else. The German, who won the first Paris Masters in 1986, will present the trophy after Sunday’s final. He is the centerpiece of a 40th edition that brings a parade of former champions back to the Plenitude Arena.

For tournament director Cédric Pioline, no one else could have been the tournament’s defining image. Asked to choose one moment from 40 editions, he picked Becker’s first title. “For me, it’s something that established the tournament, that installed it over time,” Pioline said on Friday. “And 40 years later, we’re delighted to have Boris Becker, the first winner.” Becker won the title three times, in 1986, 1989 and 1992.

From Wednesday, former champions will appear on Centre Court: Goran Ivanisevic, Stefan Edberg, “an immense champion” according to Pioline, and the three Frenchmen who have won the title, Guy Forget (1991), Sébastien Grosjean (2001) and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (2008).

Pioline has a personal link to almost every one of those editions. “In 1986, I was 17, and I think that out of the 40 editions, I must have been to at least 39, at least for one day,” he said.

A young old tournament, in a way, with a rich history

“We’re a young old tournament, in a way, with a rich history,” Pioline said. The draw grew from 32 players to 48, then to today’s 56. The tournament moved from Bercy to the Plenitude Arena last year. Not every great name made it onto the roll of honor. “Rafael Nadal, for example, never won here,” Pioline said. “He came, he tried, but he didn’t manage it.”

Moretton went back further still. Before the first edition, an exhibition called the Smash, organized by Patrice Dominguez and Denis Naegelen, was held at the Palais omnisports de Paris-Bercy, before the federation turned it into an official tournament.

Novak Djokovic holds the record with seven titles. The anniversary program starts Monday with a photo on court around a giant 40th-anniversary logo, with the fans. On Tuesday night, the tournament will honor Gael Monfils, the twice runner-up in 2009 and 2010. “There will also be a different ceremony for the winner,” Pioline said.