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

The French Open has a women problem that persists stubbornly. For the past 32 consecutive nights, the Grand Slam tournament’s prime evening timeslot on Court Philippe Chatrier has been reserved exclusively for men’s matches. From when the coveted night sessions launched in 2021, only four of 60 available slots have gone to female players – a glaring inequality that has sparked renewed scrutiny from some of the sport’s biggest names. The most recent women’s competition to feature on the night schedule occurred in 2023, when American Sloane Stephens played against Aryna Sabalenka in the third round. Now, with the WTA’s newly appointed head official demanding answers from event organiser Amélie Mauresmo, the matter remains: will Roland Garros at last tackle this evident disparity?

The after-dark gap that remains unchanged

The inequality is impossible to dismiss. Since evening matches were introduced at Roland Garros in 2021, the French Open has programmed 60 prime-time fixtures on Court Philippe Chatrier. Of these, merely four have showcased women’s players – a ratio that represents under 7 per cent representation. The remaining 56 slots have been assigned to the men’s draw, guaranteeing that the tournament’s most profitable broadcasting window and biggest audiences are virtually entirely reserved for male competitors. This deliberate omission has continued across three consecutive years without substantive reform, despite increasing demands from players and governing bodies alike.

The discontent 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 mentally associate 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, 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 pleas for fairness go largely ignored.

• Only four night matches for women scheduled 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 greater visibility for women during primetime hours

What the coordinators are reporting

Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo, herself 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 meeting at Roland Garros this week, stressing that women’s players have delivered some of the “most exciting and dynamic competition in international sport” in the past year or so. Mauresmo’s response to these concerns remains to be seen, though the WTA characterised their exchange as “open and productive,” suggesting at least a readiness to participate in dialogue about the issue.

The French Open has not publicly articulated a thorough justification for the ongoing absence of women from night sessions. Instead, the tournament has largely operated without tackling the core issue of why peak-time slots – which provide the largest television audiences across France, Europe and the United States – should be allocated predominantly for male competition. The absence of openness on this issue has further fuelled 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 speed argument

One commonly cited justification for prioritising men’s matches in night sessions concerns 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 earlier. Tournament organisers have indicated that scheduling men’s matches at night allows for longer viewing windows and more compelling conclusions that keep audiences engaged into late evening hours, especially among international broadcasters seeking primetime content.

However, critics contend this reasoning is problematic and circular. The women’s game has showcased equivalent competitive intensity and audience appeal in its own right, with exciting turnarounds and compelling narratives frequently enthralling viewers. Moreover, scheduling constraints can be resolved through strategic scheduling – women’s matches could be scheduled in prime evening periods or expanded via further contests on the same evening, ensuring both competitive integrity and adequate broadcasting opportunities for the sport’s women competitors.

Players and governing bodies express their views

The discontent amongst the sport’s key stakeholders has escalated dramatically, with leading competitors and officials speaking out more frequently about the Roland Garros scheduling decisions. Naomi Osaka’s honest statement that she does not “even associate” the French Open with night matches underscores just how established the exclusion of women has become. Her comments capture a general view within the women’s game that the tournament has neglected to acknowledge or recognise women’s abilities on its most prominent venue, despite the consistent quality and appeal of women’s matches at Roland Garros.

The WTA’s action represents a significant intensification in the campaign for improvement. Recently named chief executive Valerie Camillo has prioritised resolving this disparity as a central concern, holding talks with tournament director Mauresmo to press the cause for women’s participation in primetime slots. Camillo highlighted that female athletes have delivered some of the most thrilling and vibrant competition in worldwide competition, a message that resonates with broadcasters and audiences globally. Whether such talks translate into real change is the key question confronting the competition.

The annoyance grows

For years, this argument has persisted without agreement. Each annual tournament cycle brings fresh demands for equity, yet the assignment of night-time slots remains largely unaltered. The cyclical nature of these conversations – and the consistent failure to act – has eroded patience amongst players and advocates alike. What started with polite suggestions has developed into more pointed criticism, with key stakeholders challenging not just the fairness of the arrangement, but the standards and objectives of those overseeing it.

The emotional impact of this continuous exclusion is significant. Players commit themselves in competing at the top tier, yet find themselves routinely excluded from access to the stages that would showcase their talents to the widest possible audiences. Jelena Ostapenko, one of the select number of female players to have played in a night match at Roland Garros, described the positive impact such experiences can have, noting her enjoyment of playing before capacity audiences under lights. Her testimony serves as evidence of what women’s tennis could achieve if provided equal access.

Will progress eventually materialise?

The recruitment of Valerie Camillo as WTA chief executive has generated renewed impetus 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 quality of women’s tennis – stressing the “most exciting and dynamic competition in global sport” – offers a compelling business case alongside the ethical case. Whether this represents a real watershed moment or merely another period of discussion without outcomes remains uncertain.

The responsibility now falls on the French Open’s management to show dedication beyond rhetoric. Mauresmo, a former world number one, comprehends deeply the barriers women face in the professional game. Her standing provides her with distinctive influence to catalyse genuine transformation within the competitive framework. The next few seasons will reveal whether this recent initiative prevails where previous appeals have fallen short, or whether the trend of neglect remains uninterrupted into another season.

• Valerie Camillo’s WTA role signals renewed pressure for equal scheduling
• Amelie Mauresmo’s tennis background lends credibility for driving reform
• Tournament’s approach will determine whether 2024 constitutes a pivotal juncture