Women Still Miss Out on Night Matches at French Open

The ongoing absence of women’s matches during the night sessions at the French Open raises significant concerns about gender equality in tennis. Since Sloane Stephens faced Aryna Sabalenka in the third round in 2023, not a single women’s match has been featured in the prime-time lineup, which has exclusively showcased male players over the last 32 sessions.

This trend has not gone unnoticed. Notably, four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka expressed her disconnect with the tournament, stating she does not even "associate" the French Open with night matches. Since the introduction of night sessions in 2021, women have only participated in four out of the 60 matches held on Court Philippe Chatrier, with Casper Ruud and Joao Fonseca scheduled for the next evening slot.

American player Jessica Pegula voiced her frustration last year, likening her attempts to address the issue to "hitting her head against the wall." Meanwhile, Ons Jabeur raised a poignant question regarding the decision-makers: “I don’t think they have daughters, because I don’t think they want to treat their daughters like this.”

Jelena Ostapenko, who won the women's singles title in 2017, emphasized the need for change, recalling her own experience in a night session. "I wish women's tennis could be shown more in those spots," she remarked, highlighting the excitement of playing in front of a full stadium.

This controversy has persisted over the years, with calls for increased visibility for women’s matches remaining largely unanswered. Recently, WTA chief executive Valerie Camillo addressed the issue with Amelie Mauresmo, the tournament director, noting that women’s tennis has produced some of the most thrilling competition in recent history. However, Mauresmo defended the current scheduling, arguing that the brevity of some women's matches might not offer the best value for fans.

As the tournament progresses, questions linger about whether the French Open will reconsider its approach. With a marquee matchup between Osaka and Sabalenka looming, the stakes are high. “I hope it will change,” Ostapenko concluded, expressing a desire to see women’s matches featured prominently, although uncertainty remains.