For the first time in three years, Roland Garros hosted a women’s singles match during the night session.
Since converting the session to a one-match spectacle in 2021, French Open organisers have scheduled just five women’s singles matches in the night slot.
Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka played out the fifth contest this year, with Sabalenka emerging victorious in straight sets.
How do you feel about more women’s matches being put on the night session now?
The lack of women’s singles matches during the primetime slot has generated mass debate among tennis fans, with many pointing to the obvious scheduling disparity between men’s and women’s tennis.
Henri Leconte, an iconic figure in French tennis circles, has offered his thoughts on the matter and proposed a change to the current scheduling framework at Roland Garros.
Henri Leconte will push the French tennis President to expand the night session to two matches
Anne Keothavong, the former British number one and current British Billie Jean King Cup captain, began the discussion while on punditry duties for TNT Sports.
“There are so many stars in the women’s game who can play great tennis,” the Briton stated. “And there is always the argument – is a longer movie better than shorter movie? We can debate it!”
Tim Henman, the world number four, pointed to one particular issue with Sabalenka and Osaka’s night match.
“There was almost unnecessary pressure on that match because the women had not played at night for so long and now they are getting their opportunity,” Henman said.
“So the way Osaka and Sabalenka went out and delivered such a high quality match was really important for everyone and we hope there are more women’s matches at night in the future.”
Henman is absolutely correct in his assessment of the matter. The ridiculous dearth of women’s night matches over the past few years created an unfair pressure on Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka.
Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka’s Roland Garros campaigns
- Naomi Osaka defeated Laure Siegemund, Donna Vekic and Iva Jovic before losing to world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
- Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, Elsa Jacquemot, Daria Kasatkina and Naomi Osaka before crashing out against Diana Shnaider in the quarter-finals. Sabalenka led Shnaider 6-1, 5-3 before losing 10 consecutive games – and the match.
Sabalenka and Osaka were there to win a tennis match, not to carry out job descriptions of Roland Garros organisers in properly advertising the women’s game.
Henri Leconte, a former finalist at the event, stated his desire to see the expansion of the Roland Garros night session.
“I think it would be an idea to make two matches at night,” the 1984 Roland Garros Men’s Doubles champion said.
“We could put the ladies first and men afterwards or the opposite. That would be perfect.
“I am going to push that direction for the president to do it!”
Change is needed at Roland Garros
It is simply ridiculous that only five women’s singles matches have taken place during the Roland Garros night session over a five-year period.
There is a blatant disparity between the men’s and women’s scheduling at the event, and this matter needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
The women’s game has been overlooked by Roland Garros organisers for far too long; and frankly, Leconte’s suggestion of an expanded night session should not be necessary.
Amelie Mauresmo, the Roland Garros Tournament director, has a number of concerning issues to address – including the matter of empty seats at the event, and the decision not to utilise Electronic Line Call system.
After controversy in Casper Ruud’s match, Roland Garros now NEEDS to implement electronic line calling 😬
These issues are certainly important. However, the night session matter is the most pressing, and demonstrable change must be evident in 12 months’ time.
