The use of Understood in the present

i was told I was wrong by a french girl who is just learning the english language!

"It is time the french understood what tennis is."


Is it understand? Or have I used understood in the right context. I instinctively believe I have and it sounds like I have heard it before.

Note: (referring to their lack of knowledge about what makes a tennis player good) (almost what tennis is all about)

Hello Unreg,

1. It is time (that) the French understood what tennis is.

You are quite right: "understand" would not be idiomatic here; "understood" is required.

I would call it a subjunctive usage.

All the best,

MrP