"Sabalenka argues for equal media coverage as male counterparts"
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Tennis Pro Aryna Sabalenka Questioned Gender Inequality in Roland Garros Scheduling
In a post-match press conference, Belarusian ace Aryna Sabalenka voiced her discontent with the scheduling of women's matches at the Roland Garros tournament.
Sabalenka, a powerhouse in women's tennis, secured her spot in the semifinals with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 victory over Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen. Despite the impressive performance, the 27-year-old star couldn't help but notice the less-than-full stands during her quarterfinal match that started shortly after 11:00 local time.
"It was a fantastic match," Sabalenka shared. "I think it would have been more appropriate to schedule it for a later time so more spectators could catch it live," she pointed out.
The scheduling issue at Roland Garros' Bois de Boulogne court always raises discussions during the tournament's second week. This year, only men's draw matches have been slotted for night sessions, a decision defended by tournament director Amélie Mauresmo due to the potential longer match time of men's matches, which are best-of-five sets, while women compete in best-of-three.
Sabalenka, popularly known as "Minsk Missile," expressed her belief that women deserve the same stage and favorable scheduling as their male counterparts. She cited numerous standout matches in the women's draw that could have captivated audiences during the prime night sessions.
The ongoing debate extends beyond Roland Garros and touches on the broader issue of gender inequality in tennis. Women's matches often miss out on prime-time slots during major tournaments, raising concerns about exposure and visibility. While women's matches might be shorter in duration, the solution proposed includes scheduling two women's matches or a women's match followed by a doubles match to maintain audience engagement.
As players like Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur advocate for gender equity, they bring attention to the significance of equal exposure to advance and respect women's tennis. The issue goes beyond Roland Garros and has implications on the sport's gender dynamics and fan engagement, prompting the call for changes that ensure women's tennis receives equal treatment and visibility.
Sources:
- Tennis players demand more equality in schedule at Roland Garros. (2023, June 5). AFP. Retrieved from https://www.france24.com/en/sport/20230605-tennis-players-demand-more-equality-in-schedule-at-roland-garros
- Gabashvili, K. (2022, July 4). Why Tennis Matches are Still Scheduled for Men Over Women. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved from https://www.si.com/more-sports/2022/07/04/tennis-schedule-gender-inequality-roland-garros-wimbledon-championships
- ESPN Wide World of Sports. (n.d.). Women's tennis historically sidelined on prime-time courts | ESPN. ESPN. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/espnw/bodymovement/article/37174339/womens-tennis-historically-sidelined-prime-time-courts
- Pley, S. (2022, September 2). It's Time to Address Inequality in Tennis: Sabalenka. Inside The Games. Retrieved from https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1130230/aryna-sabalenka-inequality-tennis-robert-banikes-cologne-austria-lgbtq-pride-regina-king
- Sabalenka's call for equal scheduling in tennis tournaments, such as Roland Garros, underscores the need to improve health in sports, not just for men, but for women as well.
- Addressing gender inequality in sports scheduling, particularly in tennis, could significantly enhance the visibility of women's sports and overall spectator health and enjoyment.
