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

The French Open has a gender issue that refuses to go away. Over the last 32 consecutive nights, the Grand Slam event’s most prestigious primetime slot on Court Philippe Chatrier has been reserved exclusively for men’s competition. Since the coveted night sessions launched in 2021, only four of 60 scheduling slots have gone to women competitors – a stark disparity that has prompted fresh criticism from some of the game’s leading figures. The last women’s match to grace the night schedule was in 2023, when American Sloane Stephens played against Aryna Sabalenka in the round of 16. Now, with the WTA’s recently named head official seeking explanations from event organiser Amélie Mauresmo, the question looms: will Roland Garros at last tackle this evident disparity?

The night-time inequality that remains unchanged

The inequality is difficult to ignore. Since night sessions were launched at Roland Garros in 2021, the French Open has programmed 60 primetime matches on Court Philippe Chatrier. Of these, merely four have featured women’s players – a ratio that translates to less than seven per cent representation. The remaining 56 slots have gone to the men’s draw, guaranteeing that the tournament’s most lucrative television slot and largest crowds are virtually entirely reserved for male competitors. This deliberate omission has endured across three successive years without significant progress, despite increasing demands from competitors and sports bodies alike.

The dissatisfaction among the sport’s elite is evident and growing louder. 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, expressed her exasperation last year, describing the persistent fight as akin to “hitting her head against the wall.” Ons Jabeur, a Wimbledon finalist twice over, posed a pointed 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 demands for equality go largely ignored.

• Only four night matches for women scheduled following 2021 introduction
• No matches featuring women held at night since Stephens vs Sabalenka in 2023
• WTA CEO Camillo recently met with tournament director Mauresmo
• Jelena Ostapenko advocates for greater visibility for women during primetime hours

What the coordinators are reporting

Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo, personally a ex-world number one, has come under increasing pressure to justify the French Open’s fixture arrangements. The WTA’s recently named chief executive Valerie Camillo requested clear responses during their meeting at Roland Garros this week, emphasising that female competitors have produced some of the “most engaging and vibrant competition in global sport” in recent months and years. Mauresmo’s reply to the issues remains to be seen, though the WTA characterised their conversation as “open and productive,” suggesting at least a readiness to participate in discussion about the matter.

The French Open has failed to clearly explain a comprehensive rationale for the ongoing absence of women from night sessions. Instead, the tournament has largely operated without addressing the core issue of why primetime slots – which offer the largest television audiences across France, Europe and the United States – should be reserved predominantly for male competition. The lack of transparency on this issue has only intensified scrutiny, with commentators pointing out that the decision-making process appears to lack the responsibility required from a renowned Grand Slam event.

The speed argument

One commonly cited justification for prioritising men’s matches in evening slots concerns match duration. 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 usually finish earlier. Tournament administrators have indicated that arranging men’s matches at night enables extended broadcast periods and more dramatic finales that maintain viewer interest into late evening hours, especially among international broadcasters pursuing primetime content.

However, critics maintain this reasoning is problematic and circular. The women’s game has demonstrated similar levels of excitement and audience appeal in its own right, with exciting turnarounds and captivating plots regularly captivating viewers. Moreover, scheduling constraints could be managed through careful planning – women’s matches might be arranged in prime evening periods or prolonged with extra matches on the same evening, ensuring both competitive standards and comprehensive media opportunities for the sport’s women competitors.

Players and governing bodies express their views

The dissatisfaction amongst the sport’s key stakeholders has intensified significantly, with top athletes and administrators growing more outspoken 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 entrenched the marginalisation of female players has become. Her comments capture a wider feeling within the women’s game that the tournament has failed to recognise or celebrate female competitors on its most prominent venue, despite the reliable standard and enjoyment factor of women’s matches at Roland Garros.

The WTA’s involvement constitutes a substantial step up in the push for improvement. Recently named chief executive Valerie Camillo has prioritised addressing this disparity as a central concern, meeting directly with tournament director Amelie Mauresmo to champion the cause for women’s representation in peak-time slots. She stressed that women competitors have generated some of the most thrilling and engaging contests in worldwide competition, a statement that resonates with media outlets and fans around the world. If these discussions translate into concrete action stands as the key issue before the tournament.

The annoyance grows

For an extended period, this discussion has continued without agreement. Each competitive season brings repeated appeals for equity, yet the distribution of evening fixtures remains largely unaltered. The cyclical nature of these conversations – and the repeated inability to take action – has eroded support among competitors and supporters alike. What started with respectful recommendations has developed into sharper critique, with key stakeholders scrutinising not just the justice of the structure, but the standards and objectives of those managing it.

The emotional impact of this ongoing exclusion is significant. Players dedicate their professional lives in competing at the top tier, yet find themselves systematically denied access to the stages that would display their abilities to the largest available audiences. Jelena Ostapenko, one of the few women to have experienced a night match at Roland Garros, outlined the positive impact such opportunities can have, noting her enjoyment of playing before full crowds under lights. Her testimony stands as a reminder of what the women’s game could achieve if given equal opportunity.

Will progress eventually arrive?

The selection of Valerie Camillo as WTA chief executive officer has injected fresh momentum into the push for parity at Roland Garros. Her talks with tournament director Amelie Mauresmo this week marks a important juncture, with the WTA characterising the conversation as “open and productive”. Camillo’s emphasis on the quality of women’s tennis – stressing the “most vibrant and compelling competition in global sport” – offers a compelling business case combined with the moral argument. Whether this constitutes a real watershed moment or merely another round of talks with no results stays undetermined.

The responsibility now falls on the French Open’s management to demonstrate dedication beyond mere statements. Mauresmo, a former world top-ranked player, comprehends deeply the challenges women encounter in the professional game. Her position provides her with special credibility to drive genuine transformation within the competitive framework. The next few seasons will reveal whether this recent initiative succeeds where previous appeals have proved unsuccessful, or whether the pattern of inaction persists unchanged into the next season.

• Valerie Camillo’s WTA position indicates renewed pressure for parity in scheduling
• Amelie Mauresmo’s competitive history provides weight for driving reform
• Tournament’s response will determine whether 2024 constitutes a watershed moment