The French Open’s night sessions have become a stage for more than just tennis—they’ve turned into a battleground for gender equality in sports. What makes this particularly fascinating is how a seemingly simple scheduling decision has exposed deeper systemic biases in one of the world’s most prestigious tournaments. For the past 32 primetime slots, men’s matches have dominated the coveted evening spotlight, leaving women’s tennis in the shadows. From my perspective, this isn’t just about who plays when—it’s a reflection of how women’s sports are continually undervalued, even when the talent and excitement are undeniable.
The Night Session Conundrum
Let’s start with the numbers: since 2021, only four out of 60 night sessions at Court Philippe Chatrier have featured women’s matches. One thing that immediately stands out is the absurdity of this statistic. Players like Naomi Osaka, Jessica Pegula, and Ons Jabeur—stars who draw massive audiences—are being sidelined in favor of men’s matches. Osaka’s recent comment that she doesn’t even associate the French Open with night sessions is telling. What this really suggests is that the tournament’s organizers are missing a golden opportunity to elevate women’s tennis and challenge outdated narratives about its appeal.
In my opinion, the argument that women’s matches are too short and don’t offer ‘value for money’ is a weak excuse. If a two-set match is a concern, why not schedule a doubleheader, as the Australian Open and US Open do? The French Open’s refusal to adapt feels like a deliberate choice to maintain the status quo. What many people don’t realize is that this isn’t just about ticket sales—it’s about visibility, respect, and the message being sent to young athletes. As Ons Jabeur poignantly asked, ‘Do the decision-makers even have daughters?’
The Broader Implications
This issue goes beyond Roland Garros. If you take a step back and think about it, the marginalization of women’s tennis in primetime slots is part of a larger pattern in sports. Women’s matches are often relegated to smaller courts, less favorable times, and lower prize money. A detail that I find especially interesting is how broadcasters reportedly pushed for more women’s matches in primetime last year, yet the French Open still refused to budge. This raises a deeper question: Who is this tournament really serving? Is it the fans, the players, or outdated traditions?
Personally, I think the French Open’s stance is not just tone-deaf but also commercially shortsighted. Women’s tennis has been delivering some of the most thrilling matches in recent years. Take the upcoming clash between Osaka and Aryna Sabalenka—if that’s not primetime material, I don’t know what is. What this really suggests is that the tournament’s criteria for ‘exciting’ matches are skewed by gender bias. As Jelena Ostapenko rightly pointed out, women’s tennis deserves to be showcased when the stadiums are full, not just as an afterthought.
The Path Forward
The WTA’s new CEO, Valerie Camillo, has taken a stand, meeting with tournament director Amelie Mauresmo to address the issue. What makes this particularly fascinating is that Mauresmo, a former women’s world number one, has defended the current system. Her argument that women’s matches are too short feels like a cop-out. In my opinion, if the French Open truly cared about gender equality, they’d find a way to make it work—whether by extending night sessions or reevaluating their criteria for match selection.
One thing that immediately stands out is the power of player advocacy. Stars like Osaka, Pegula, and Jabeur aren’t just complaining—they’re demanding change. Their voices, combined with pressure from the WTA and broadcasters, could finally force the French Open’s hand. What this really suggests is that progress often requires relentless pushback against entrenched systems.
Final Thoughts
As I reflect on this issue, what many people don’t realize is how much is at stake. The French Open’s night sessions aren’t just about entertainment—they’re about legacy. By continually overlooking women’s tennis, the tournament is missing a chance to inspire the next generation of players and fans. From my perspective, the solution isn’t complicated: start scheduling women’s matches in primetime, period. Until then, the French Open will remain a symbol of how far we still have to go in achieving equality in sports. If you take a step back and think about it, this isn’t just a scheduling issue—it’s a cultural one. And it’s time for the culture to change.
