The French Open faces a gender issue that refuses to go away. For the past 32 consecutive nights, the Grand Slam event’s most prestigious primetime slot on Court Philippe Chatrier has been reserved solely for men’s competition. Since the coveted night sessions launched in 2021, only four of 60 scheduling slots have been allocated to women competitors – a glaring inequality that has prompted fresh criticism from several of the game’s leading figures. The last women’s match to grace the night schedule occurred in 2023, when American Sloane Stephens faced Aryna Sabalenka in the third round. Now, with the WTA’s newly appointed head official demanding answers from tournament director Amélie Mauresmo, the question looms: will Roland Garros at last tackle this glaring inequality?
The night-time inequality that endures
The inequality is hard to overlook. Since night sessions were introduced at Roland Garros in 2021, the French Open has scheduled 60 primetime matches on Court Philippe Chatrier. Of these, only four have showcased women’s players – a ratio that amounts to under 7 per cent representation. The remaining 56 slots have gone to the men’s draw, meaning the tournament’s most lucrative television slot and biggest audiences are virtually entirely dedicated to male competitors. This structured exclusion has continued across three consecutive years without significant progress, despite growing calls from players and governing bodies alike.
The dissatisfaction among the sport’s elite is evident and growing louder. Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, voiced her perplexity at the situation, admitting she does not even psychologically connect the French Open with women’s night matches. Jessica Pegula, presently sitting fifth in the world, articulated her annoyance last year, describing the continuing struggle as akin to “hitting her head against the wall.” Ons Jabeur, a Wimbledon finalist twice over, raised a direct question to those running the tournament: whether they possess daughters of their own. These are far from peripheral voices – they form the sport’s establishment, yet their calls for equity remain unheeded.
- Only four night matches for women arranged following 2021 launch
- No women’s matches held at night since Stephens vs Sabalenka in 2023
- WTA CEO Camillo held talks with tournament director Mauresmo
- Jelena Ostapenko calls for increased women’s visibility during primetime hours
What the organisers are stating
Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo, personally a ex-world number one, has faced mounting pressure to defend the French Open’s scheduling decisions. The WTA’s newly appointed chief executive Valerie Camillo requested clear responses during their meeting at Roland Garros earlier this week, stressing that women’s players have produced some of the “most exciting and dynamic competition in global sport” in recent months and years. Mauresmo’s response to these concerns has yet to emerge, though the WTA characterised their conversation as “candid and constructive,” indicating at least a willingness to engage in dialogue about the issue.
The French Open has failed to clearly explain a comprehensive rationale for the ongoing absence of women from evening matches. Instead, the tournament has largely operated without tackling the fundamental question of why peak-time slots – which provide the biggest TV viewership across France, Europe and the United States – should be allocated predominantly for male competition. The absence of openness on this matter has only intensified scrutiny, with commentators pointing out that the decision-making process seems to be missing the accountability expected of a renowned Grand Slam event.
The velocity case
One commonly cited rationale for favouring men’s competitions in evening slots relates to match duration. Men’s singles matches at Grand Slams are played over five sets, potentially extending well into the evening, whereas women’s matches consist of three sets and typically conclude sooner. Tournament organisers have suggested that arranging men’s matches at night enables extended broadcast periods and more compelling conclusions that keep audiences engaged into late evening hours, especially among international broadcasters seeking primetime content.
However, critics maintain this reasoning is flawed and circular. The women’s game has demonstrated equivalent competitive intensity and viewer engagement in its own right, with thrilling comebacks and engaging storylines consistently engaging viewers. Moreover, scheduling constraints might be addressed through thoughtful organisation – women’s matches might be arranged in earlier evening time slots or extended through additional rounds on the same evening, ensuring both competitive integrity and comprehensive media opportunities for the sport’s women players.
Athletes and regulatory authorities voice their concerns
The discontent amongst the sport’s key stakeholders has escalated dramatically, with prominent players and officials increasingly vocal about the Roland Garros scheduling decisions. Naomi Osaka’s frank acknowledgement that she does not “even associate” the French Open with night matches underscores just how normalised the marginalisation of female players has become. Her comments embody a wider feeling within the women’s game that the tournament has failed to recognise or celebrate female talent on its most prominent venue, despite the sustained excellence and enjoyment factor of women’s competition at Roland Garros.
The WTA’s action represents a significant step up in the campaign for reform. Recently named chief executive Valerie Camillo has prioritised resolving this disparity as a central concern, meeting directly with tournament director Mauresmo to champion the case for women’s inclusion in peak-time slots. She stressed that women competitors have delivered some of the most exciting and dynamic contests in international sport, a statement that strikes a chord with networks and viewers around the world. Whether such talks translate into concrete action stands as the crucial question before the event.
| Player or Official | Key statement |
|---|---|
| Naomi Osaka | Does not “even associate” the French Open with night matches |
| Jessica Pegula | Feels like she is “hitting her head against the wall” over the subject |
| Ons Jabeur | Questioned whether decision-makers “have daughters” and would treat them this way |
| Valerie Camillo (WTA) | Emphasised women’s players have delivered “most exciting and dynamic competition in global sport” |
The annoyance builds
For years, this debate has persisted without resolution. Each tournament season brings fresh demands for equity, yet the assignment of night sessions remains stubbornly unchanged. The repetitive nature of these exchanges – and the consistent failure to act – has worn down support among athletes and campaigners alike. What started with polite suggestions has developed into stronger objections, with key stakeholders scrutinising not just the equity of the system, but the values and priorities of those managing it.
The emotional weight of this ongoing exclusion cannot be understated. Players invest their careers in competing at the highest level, yet find themselves consistently prevented from gaining access to the platforms that would display their abilities to the broadest audiences. Jelena Ostapenko, one of the few women to have played in a night match at Roland Garros, articulated the beneficial effects such opportunities can have, noting her pleasure in competing before capacity audiences under lights. Her testimony stands as a reminder of what women’s tennis could achieve if provided equal access.
Will change at last arrive?
The selection of Valerie Camillo as WTA chief executive has brought fresh energy into the campaign for equality at Roland Garros. Her discussion with tournament director Amelie Mauresmo this week marks a pivotal point, with the WTA describing the conversation as “open and productive”. Camillo’s emphasis on the calibre of women’s tennis – stressing the “most vibrant and compelling competition in world sport” – presents a compelling business case combined with the ethical case. Whether this represents a authentic shift or merely another period of discussion without outcomes remains uncertain.
The responsibility now falls on the French Open’s leadership to show commitment beyond rhetoric. Mauresmo, a former world number one, grasps fully the challenges women confront in professional tennis. Her position affords her unique authority to catalyse meaningful change within the tournament structure. The next few seasons will demonstrate whether this current effort prevails where earlier attempts have failed, or whether the cycle of inaction persists unchanged into another season.
- Valerie Camillo’s WTA role indicates renewed pressure for scheduling equality
- Amelie Mauresmo’s competitive history lends weight for enacting transformation
- Tournament’s reaction will determine whether 2024 marks a pivotal juncture