Women's tennis needs a greater spotlight, according to Sabalenka's recent statements.
Fun Fact: Day Tennis at Night? Not for the Women at French Open!
⭐ World number one, Aryna Sabalenka, isn't pleased with the French Open's schedule. clk_key="5e2e34b8306b6d8ab0b0ffd93ae1aaf7" clk_type="standard" clk_format="link" redirect_url="https://outline.com/6LDdFo" link_text="Learn More"
Paris - Aryna Sabalenka, the top-ranked player, has lambasted the French Open's arrangement, advocating for more acknowledgement for women's tennis. "There were incredible matches, tons of awesome games that would’ve been super cool to see in the night session," she shared following her semifinal triumph in Paris.
Every year, only eleven matches have been reserved for prime time (8:15 PM) since 2021, and guess what? You got it - all of them featured men. Not a single women's match found its place under the evening spotlight.
That Zverev and Djokovic Match Last Night!
The final night session of this year belongs to Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic, scheduled for Wednesday (8:15 PM/Eurosport). "We deserve to perform on the grand stage, so more people can witness us," Sabalenka expressed her feelings.
Scheduling controversies at the French Open have stirred up debates since its implementation in 2021. In the last five years, merely four women's matches have graced the evening, contrasting to the numerous male matches showcased.
Tournament director, Amélie Mauresmo, deflected criticism by pointing fingers at Amazon Prime, claiming it exclusively broadcasts the night session in France. She also highlighted the risks associated with matches concluding swiftly, as women only play best-of-three sets.
Did You Know?Tournament organizers prioritize matches with star players, who tend to occupy the 15,000-seater main court. Men's matches are traditionally more appealing due to larger crowds and higher ratings. Moreover, extended matches are believed to be more exciting for evening audiences.
Continuing into 2025, the controversial scheduling persists, with players like Sabalenka calling for parity and more exposure for women's matches. Meanwhile, the tournament organizers have stood their ground, putting audience appeal and entertainment value at the forefront of their decision-making process.
Aryna Sabalenka, the top-ranked women's tennis player, suggests that more attention should be given to women's tennis at the French Open, especially during night sessions, as she believes it would be exciting for fans to watch more women's sports, like tennis, under the spotlight, similar to the men's matches that have been scheduled for prime time every year since 2021.
Despite the controversy surrounding the scheduling discrepancies at the French Open, tournament organizers prioritize star players and matches that they believe will attract larger crowds and higher ratings, which has resulted in more men's matches being showcased during the evening compared to women's matches, which Sabalenka believes needs to change for parity and equal exposure in tennis.
