Thirty-two nights and counting: French Open’s women problem

The French Open has a gender issue that refuses to go away. For the past 32 straight evenings, the Grand Slam event’s most prestigious primetime slot on Court Philippe Chatrier has been reserved exclusively for men’s matches. Since the coveted night sessions launched in 2021, just 4 of 60 available slots have gone to female players – a stark disparity that has sparked fresh criticism from several of the game’s leading figures. The last women’s match to feature on the evening lineup was in 2023, when American Sloane Stephens played against Aryna Sabalenka in the round of 16. Now, with the WTA’s newly appointed chief executive seeking explanations from event organiser Amélie Mauresmo, the matter remains: will Roland Garros finally address this glaring inequality?

The after-dark inequality that endures

The inequality is difficult to ignore. Since night sessions were launched at Roland Garros in 2021, the French Open has allocated 60 prime-time fixtures on Court Philippe Chatrier. Of these, merely four have featured women’s players – a ratio that amounts to under 7 per cent representation. The remaining 56 slots have been assigned to the men’s draw, ensuring that the tournament’s most profitable broadcasting window and largest crowds are virtually entirely reserved for male competitors. This deliberate omission has persisted across three consecutive years without significant progress, despite mounting pressure from competitors and sports bodies alike.

The frustration 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 consciously link the French Open with women’s night matches. Jessica Pegula, presently sitting fifth in the world, articulated her annoyance last year, describing the ongoing battle as akin to “hitting her head against the wall.” Ons Jabeur, a two-time Wimbledon finalist, asked a sharp question to tournament organisers: whether they possess daughters of their own. These are not marginal voices – they represent the sport’s mainstream, yet their calls for equity remain unheeded.

• Only four night matches for women scheduled following 2021 launch
• No women’s matches held at night since Stephens vs Sabalenka in 2023
• WTA chief executive Camillo held talks with director of the tournament Mauresmo
• Jelena Ostapenko advocates for increased women’s visibility during primetime hours

What the organisers are stating

Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo, personally a former world number one, has faced mounting pressure to defend the French Open’s scheduling decisions. The WTA’s newly appointed chief executive Valerie Camillo sought direct answers during their discussion at Roland Garros this week, emphasising that women’s players have delivered some of the “most engaging and vibrant competition in global sport” in the past year or so. Mauresmo’s response to these concerns remains to be seen, though the WTA characterised their conversation as “candid and constructive,” suggesting at least a willingness to engage in discussion about the issue.

The French Open has failed to clearly explain a thorough justification for the persistent exclusion of women from night sessions. Instead, the tournament has largely operated without addressing the fundamental question of why peak-time slots – which offer the biggest TV viewership across France, Europe and the United States – should be allocated almost exclusively for men’s matches. The lack of transparency on this issue has only intensified criticism, with observers pointing out that the process for making decisions seems to be missing the accountability required from a renowned Grand Slam event.

The speed argument

One commonly cited rationale for favouring men’s competitions in night sessions relates to playing time. Men’s singles matches at Grand Slams are contested across five sets, possibly running well into the evening, whereas women’s matches consist of three sets and usually finish sooner. Tournament administrators have indicated that arranging men’s matches at night enables longer viewing windows and more compelling conclusions that keep audiences engaged into late evening hours, especially among international broadcasters pursuing primetime content.

However, critics argue this reasoning is flawed and circular. The women’s game has displayed equivalent competitive intensity and audience appeal in its own right, with thrilling comebacks and captivating plots consistently engaging viewers. Moreover, scheduling constraints can be resolved through thoughtful organisation – women’s matches might be arranged in prime evening periods or prolonged with additional rounds on the same evening, ensuring both competitive standards and comprehensive media opportunities for the sport’s women competitors.

Players and governing bodies voice their concerns

The dissatisfaction amongst the sport’s key stakeholders has reached a crescendo, with prominent players and officials increasingly vocal about the French Open’s timetabling arrangements. Naomi Osaka’s honest statement that she does not “even associate” the French Open with nocturnal events underscores just how entrenched the sidelining of women has become. Her comments embody a wider feeling within the women’s game that the tournament has overlooked or honour female competitors on its most prestigious platform, despite the consistent quality and entertainment value of women’s matches at Roland Garros.

The WTA’s intervention marks a significant intensification in the campaign for reform. Freshly installed chief executive Ms Camillo has prioritised resolving this inequality as a central concern, engaging with tournament director Mauresmo to press the cause for women’s inclusion in primetime slots. She stressed that female athletes have generated some of the most compelling and dynamic competition in international sport, a statement that resonates with networks and viewers globally. If these discussions lead to tangible outcomes stands as the critical question confronting the tournament.

The annoyance mounts

For an extended period, this debate has continued without resolution. Each competitive season brings repeated appeals for equal treatment, yet the assignment of evening fixtures remains persistently the same. The cyclical nature of these exchanges – and the ongoing refusal to implement change – has eroded goodwill between players and advocates alike. What began as polite suggestions has evolved into more pointed criticism, with leading figures scrutinising not just the fairness of the arrangement, but the standards and objectives of those overseeing it.

The emotional impact of this persistent exclusion is significant. Players dedicate their professional lives in competing at the top tier, yet find themselves routinely excluded from access to the venues that would showcase their talents to the broadest audiences. Jelena Ostapenko, one of the few women to have experienced a night match at Roland Garros, outlined the beneficial effects such experiences can have, noting her pleasure in competing before capacity audiences under lights. Her testimony serves as evidence of what the women’s game could achieve if given equal opportunity.

Will progress eventually materialise?

The appointment of Valerie Camillo as WTA chief executive has generated renewed impetus into the campaign for equality at Roland Garros. Her meeting with tournament director Amelie Mauresmo this week marks a pivotal point, with the WTA describing the conversation as “open and productive”. Camillo’s focus on the calibre of women’s tennis – stressing the “most vibrant and compelling competition in global sport” – presents a persuasive business rationale in addition to the ethical case. Whether this signals a real watershed moment or just another round of talks with no results remains uncertain.

The onus now lies with the French Open’s governing body to prove commitment beyond rhetoric. Mauresmo, a former world number one, comprehends deeply the challenges women confront in professional tennis. Her position provides her with distinctive influence to effect genuine transformation within the competitive framework. The coming years will demonstrate whether this current effort succeeds where previous appeals have proved unsuccessful, or whether the cycle of inaction persists unchanged into the next season.

• Valerie Camillo’s WTA position signals increased momentum for parity in scheduling
• Amelie Mauresmo’s playing experience provides weight for enacting transformation
• Tournament’s reaction will establish whether 2024 marks a pivotal juncture