The French Open has a gender issue that persists stubbornly. For the past 32 straight evenings, the Grand Slam event’s most prestigious primetime slot on Court Philippe Chatrier remains reserved exclusively for men’s competition. Since the sought-after evening matches were introduced in 2021, just 4 of 60 scheduling slots have gone to female players – a stark disparity that has sparked renewed scrutiny from several of the sport’s biggest names. The last women’s match to grace the evening lineup occurred in 2023, when American Sloane Stephens faced Aryna Sabalenka in the round of 16. Now, with the WTA’s recently named head official seeking explanations from tournament director Amélie Mauresmo, the matter remains: will Roland Garros at last tackle this evident disparity?
The nocturnal disparity that refuses to fade
The inequality is impossible to dismiss. 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 translates to under 7 per cent representation. The remaining 56 slots have gone to the men’s draw, guaranteeing that the tournament’s most profitable television slot and largest crowds are almost exclusively reserved for male competitors. This structured exclusion has persisted across three consecutive years without significant progress, despite mounting pressure from competitors and sports bodies alike.
The discontent among the sport’s elite is palpable and increasingly vocal. Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, voiced her perplexity at the situation, admitting she does not even mentally associate the French Open with women’s night matches. Jessica Pegula, currently ranked fifth in the world, voiced her frustration last year, describing the ongoing battle as akin to “hitting her head against the wall.” Ons Jabeur, a Wimbledon finalist twice over, raised a direct question to tournament organisers: whether they possess daughters of their own. These are not marginal voices – they form the sport’s establishment, yet their calls for equity remain unheeded.
- Only four night matches for women arranged since 2021 launch
- No matches featuring women played after dark since Stephens vs Sabalenka in 2023
- WTA CEO Camillo held talks with tournament director Mauresmo
- Jelena Ostapenko advocates for greater visibility for women during primetime hours
What the event planners are saying
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 recently named chief executive Valerie Camillo sought direct answers during their discussion at Roland Garros earlier this week, stressing that women’s players have produced some of the “most exciting and dynamic competition in international sport” in recent months and years. Mauresmo’s response to these concerns has yet to emerge, though the WTA described their exchange as “open and productive,” suggesting at least a willingness to engage in dialogue about the matter.
The French Open has not publicly articulated a thorough justification for the persistent exclusion of women from night sessions. Instead, the tournament has largely operated without addressing the core issue of why primetime slots – which provide the biggest TV viewership across France, Europe and the United States – should be reserved predominantly for men’s matches. The absence of openness on this issue has only intensified criticism, with observers pointing out that the process for making decisions seems to be missing the responsibility expected of a renowned Grand Slam event.
The pace case
One commonly cited justification for prioritising men’s competitions in evening slots relates to playing time. Men’s singles matches at Grand Slams are played over five sets, possibly running well into the evening, whereas women’s matches comprise three sets and typically conclude earlier. Tournament organisers have indicated that scheduling men’s matches at night allows for longer viewing windows and more compelling conclusions that maintain viewer interest into late evening hours, particularly for international broadcasters seeking primetime content.
However, critics argue this reasoning is faulty and circular. The women’s game has displayed equivalent competitive intensity and viewer engagement in its own right, with exciting turnarounds and engaging storylines regularly captivating viewers. Moreover, scheduling constraints might be addressed through careful planning – women’s matches could be timetabled in prime evening periods or prolonged with further contests on the same evening, ensuring both sporting fairness and sufficient television opportunities for the sport’s women competitors.
Competitors and oversight organisations express their views
The discontent amongst the sport’s leading figures has escalated dramatically, with leading competitors and officials speaking out more frequently about the Roland Garros scheduling decisions. Naomi Osaka’s candid admission that she does not “even associate” the French Open with evening fixtures underscores just how established the exclusion of women has become. Her comments capture a wider feeling within the women’s game that the tournament has overlooked or honour women’s abilities on its most important stage, despite the consistent quality and appeal of women’s competition at Roland Garros.
The WTA’s intervention represents a significant intensification in the campaign for improvement. Newly appointed chief executive Valerie Camillo has established addressing this disparity as a priority, holding talks with tournament director Amelie Mauresmo to press the cause for women’s participation in prime-time programming. Camillo emphasised that women competitors have generated some of the most exciting and dynamic sporting action in worldwide competition, a statement that resonates with networks and viewers globally. If these discussions lead to real change remains the key matter facing the competition.
| 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 an extended period, this debate has persisted without agreement. Each tournament season brings fresh demands for equal treatment, yet the allocation of night-time slots remains stubbornly unchanged. The cyclical nature of these discussions – and the consistent failure to implement change – has eroded support among players and advocates alike. What started with respectful recommendations has developed into sharper critique, with prominent voices scrutinising not just the equity of the arrangement, but the principles and concerns of those administering it.
The emotional weight of this ongoing exclusion cannot be understated. Players commit themselves in competing at the highest level, yet find themselves systematically denied access to the venues that would display their abilities to the widest possible audiences. Jelena Ostapenko, one of the select number of female players to have experienced a night match at Roland Garros, described the beneficial effects such opportunities can have, noting her enjoyment of playing before packed stadiums under lights. Her testimony underscores of what women’s tennis could achieve if provided equal access.
Will transformation eventually materialise?
The appointment of Valerie Camillo as WTA chief executive has brought fresh energy into the push for parity at Roland Garros. Her meeting with tournament director Amelie Mauresmo this week represents a pivotal point, with the WTA characterising the conversation as “open and productive”. Camillo’s focus on the standard of women’s tennis – highlighting the “most thrilling and engaging competition in world sport” – offers a strong commercial argument alongside the moral argument. Whether this signals a authentic shift or just another cycle of dialogue without action remains uncertain.
The responsibility now rests with the French Open’s leadership to prove commitment beyond words. Mauresmo, a former world number one, understands intimately the challenges women encounter in the professional game. Her role provides her with distinctive influence to catalyse genuine transformation within the competitive framework. The years ahead will reveal whether this latest intervention proves successful where earlier attempts have failed, or whether the pattern of inaction persists unchanged into subsequent years.
- Valerie Camillo’s WTA position signals renewed pressure for equal scheduling
- Amelie Mauresmo’s competitive history lends credibility for implementing change
- Tournament’s response will establish whether 2024 constitutes a pivotal juncture