SABALENKA WEIGHS IN ON ROLAND-GARROS SCHEDULING, ARGUES WOMEN 'DESERVE BIGGER STAGE'
- Christian Montegan
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka is the latest big name to voice her disapproval over Roland-Garros' controversial scheduling, as she claims allowing women to feature in the night session "would make more sense".
Tournament Director Amélie Mauresmo, along with French Tennis President Gilles Moretton, have come under fire following their strong stance on scheduling one men's match only during the night, citing more value for money as part of the reason.
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Ons Jabeur, a three-time Grand Slam runner-up, wrote an emotional message on social media, clapping back at those who disregard women's tennis.
"When a woman wins 6–0, 6–0, it’s called boring. Too easy. When a man does it? That's 'dominance.' 'Strength.' 'Unstoppable.' When women play with power, they're told they 'play like men.' As if strength, speed or aggression don’t belong in a woman’s game," part of her powerful post read.
Coco Gauff sided with Jabeur, as she believes that "women's matches are worthy of a night spot".
After her straight sets victory over 2024 Australian Open finalist Qinwen Zheng in the quarter-finals, the same question about the schedule was posed to Sabalenka.
"It was a big match and probably would make more sense to put us a little bit later just so more people could watch it," she said, after her match against Zheng commenced at 11am local time on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
"I definitely think that would make more sense to kind of move our match for a little bit later."
Sabalenka's fourth-round contest against former US Open winner Sloane Stephens in 2023 was the last time a women's match was played during the night in Paris. And in the last four years, only two women's matches have made the primetime slot.
"There was a lot of great battles, a lot of great matches which would be cool to see as night sessions," Sabalenka stated.
"Just more people in the stands watching these incredible battles, and just to show ourselves to more people. I definitely agree that we deserve to be put on a bigger stage. Better timing, more people watching."
The 27-year-old will attempt to reach the French Open for the very first time, but must conquer four-time winner Iga Świątek on Thursday night AEST.
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