'Fans Were...': Swiatek Wants Equal Treatment Amidst French Open Scheduling Criticism

4 days ago 9

ARTICLE AD BOX

Last Updated:May 31, 2025, 10:27 IST

No women's matches have been scheduled during the primetime evening session starting after 8:15 p.m in first six days of the ongoing French Open.

Iga Swiatek reacts after winning a point against Jaqueline Cristian. (AP Photo)

Amid criticism of the French Open’s scheduling decisions, Iga Swiatek highlighted the lively Mexican waves during her match against Jaqueline Cristian at Court Suzanne Lenglen as proof of women’s tennis’s entertainment value.

The clay court major schedules only one match daily during the primetime evening session starting after 8:15 p.m. local time (1815 GMT). However, no women’s matches have been featured in this slot during the first six days of the tournament.

The last women’s singles match under the lights at Court Philippe Chatrier was the fourth-round encounter between Aryna Sabalenka and Sloane Stephens on June 4, 2023.

Defending women’s champion Swiatek, who defeated Cristian of Romania 6-2, 7-5, mentioned that she usually adjusts to the given schedule but believes it should be “equal".

“Women’s matches can be entertainment the same way as men’s matches. As you could see today during my match, fans were doing the Mexican waves and everything. So people like it," Swiatek told reporters. “We can put on a nice show. That’s why I think it should be equal. That’s it."

The WTA told Reuters via email that it encourages all combined tournaments to provide a balanced match schedule that showcases the best of both women’s and men’s tennis in premium slots.

Three-time Grand Slam runner-up Ons Jabeur reignited a debate that has persisted since night sessions were introduced at Roland Garros four years ago, saying this week that women’s matches were being sidelined.

The Tunisian added in a post on X on Friday that “honouring one side of the sport shouldn’t mean ignoring the other."

Night sessions are exclusively broadcast by Amazon’s Prime service in France.

French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo explained that women’s matches, which can last up to three sets compared to the five sets for men’s matches, could end “really fast," making an extra match in that slot unfeasible.

“If we have two matches in the night session, it doesn’t work in terms of how late players will finish," Mauresmo said in a press conference on Friday, noting that earlier starts would not be effective.

“The stands will be empty for most of the first match. That’s what we think. So we keep this one match in the evening. It’s not ideal.

“We cannot check every box because we have many considerations when making these choices."

Mauresmo, a two-time Grand Slam singles champion, stated that the scheduling decisions were not indicative of the tournament’s attitude towards women players.

“For me, the message is not changing, and it has never been that the girls are not worthy to play at night," she said. “It’s never been this. I’ll not accept that you carry this message. That’s clear to me."

With Inputs From Reuters

Sports Desk

A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you live updates, breaking news, opinions and photos from the wide world of sport. Follow @News18Sports

Watch CNN-News18 here. News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

Location :

Paris, France

First Published:

News sports 'Fans Were...': Swiatek Wants Equal Treatment Amidst French Open Scheduling Criticism

Read Entire Article