French Open Faces Criticism Over Night Scheduling of Women’s Matches

The 2025 French Open has seen significant controversy surrounding the scheduling of women's matches, particularly those involving top players Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka. Despite their high-profile performances, including Sabalenka's quarterfinal win and Swiatek's semifinal appearance, neither player was scheduled for the prime-time night sessions, which were reserved for men's matches. Fans, players like Ons Jabeur and Coco Gauff, and commentators have expressed frustration and criticized the French Open organizers for what they perceive as gender bias, arguing that women's matches deserve equal night-time exposure. Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo defended the scheduling by citing men's longer five-set matches as the reason for their prioritization in night slots, though this justification has been challenged by comparisons of match durations that show some women's matches lasted longer than certain men's matches. The scheduling debate has also impacted fan attendance, with notable women's matches drawing sparse crowds due to inconvenient timings. Both Sabalenka and Swiatek have voiced their desire for greater visibility in prime-time slots, highlighting ongoing tensions around equality in tennis event scheduling.