French Open 2025: Scheduling Row & Night Session Imbalance
- The scheduling of the French Open, specifically the limited primetime role for women's tennis, is again under scrutiny.
- A women's singles match has not been showcased in primetime since 2023, a streak now extending to 19 matches. As the introduction of night sessions in 2021, only...
- This imbalance has sparked annual debate.Ons Jabeur, a former world No.
The French Open’s scheduling has ignited controversy, specifically its limited primetime slots for women’s matches, a situation that’s drawing fire. Since 2021, just four women’s matches have been featured in night sessions, sparking debate and criticism from players such as Ons Jabeur, who views this imbalance as detrimental to women’s sports. News Directory 3 reports on the renewed focus on the French Open and the debate spurred by the scheduling selections, after the last prime time women’s singles match was in 2023. Tournament organizers have yet to comment, with director Amelie mauresmo set to address the issue, which brings into focus the French Open’s commitment to gender equality within the sport. Discover what’s next as the FFT addresses the matter.
French Open Faces Scrutiny Over Women’s Primetime Role
Updated June 1, 2025
The scheduling of the French Open, specifically the limited primetime role for women’s tennis, is again under scrutiny. As Britain’s Jack Draper prepares to face Gael Monfils on Thursday,the match highlights a disparity: the scarcity of women’s singles matches featured in the coveted night session on Court Philippe Chatrier.
A women’s singles match has not been showcased in primetime since 2023, a streak now extending to 19 matches. As the introduction of night sessions in 2021, only four women’s matches have received the spotlight.
This imbalance has sparked annual debate.Ons Jabeur, a former world No. 2 and three-time Grand Slam finalist, believes this trend negatively impacts women’s sport in general. the French Open scheduling decisions and the women’s role in tennis are under fire.
“It’s unfortunate for women’s sports in general. not for tennis, but in general,” Jabeur said after her first-round exit Tuesday. “I hope whoever is making the decision, I don’t think they have daughters, as I don’t think they want to treat their daughters like this…It’s a bit ironic. They don’t show women’s sport, they don’t show women’s tennis, and then they ask the question, yeah, but mostly they [viewers] watch men. Of course they watch men more as you show men more. Everything goes together.”
Aryna Sabalenka’s fourth-round victory over sloane Stephens two years ago was the last time a women’s singles match graced the evening schedule at Roland Garros.
the french Tennis Federation (FFT) declined to comment directly on Jabeur’s remarks. Instead, they indicated that tournament director amelie Mauresmo is expected to address the issue at a news conference later in the week.
What’s next
Mauresmo’s upcoming press conference is anticipated to shed light on the FFT’s plans to address the concerns surrounding the visibility of women’s matches at future tournaments. The French Open’s commitment to gender equality in tennis remains a key point of discussion.