The French Open, one of tennis’s most prestigious Grand Slams, has once again found itself at the center of a heated debate about gender equality in match scheduling. For years, the tournament’s night session on Court Philippe-Chatrier, reserved for a single marquee match at 8:15 p.m., has predominantly featured men’s matches, with no women’s matches scheduled in this prime-time slot during the 2025 tournament. This ongoing trend has sparked frustration among fans and players alike, who see it as a missed opportunity to showcase the women’s game on one of the sport’s biggest stages. Top stars Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, two of the most prominent voices in women’s tennis, have weighed in on the controversy, offering nuanced perspectives that highlight both their personal preferences and a call for fairer scheduling practices.
Swiatek, the three-time defending French Open champion and a four-time winner at Roland Garros, has been a dominant force on the clay courts of Paris. Following her commanding first-round victory over Rebecca Sramkova in 2025, the 23-year-old Pole was asked about the absence of women’s matches in the night session. She downplayed the issue, emphasizing her preference for daytime play. “Every year we talk about it. My position didn’t change. I like playing day. So I’m happy I’m done and can have a longer rest,” Swiatek said, suggesting that the late-night slot doesn’t suit her recovery needs. However, she acknowledged the broader conversation about gender disparities, noting that critics often “try to find things that aren’t equal between men and women.” While Swiatek expressed contentment with her daytime scheduling, she hinted at a potential compromise, suggesting that women’s matches could be considered for earlier evening slots, such as 6:30 or 7:00 p.m., to better balance the schedule.
Coco Gauff, the No. 2 seed and 2023 US Open champion, echoed Swiatek’s preference for daytime matches but offered a more pointed critique of the tournament’s scheduling. After her straight-sets win over Australia’s Olivia Gadecki (6-2, 6-2) in the first round, Gauff addressed the issue in her press conference. “I think here is a unique topic because there is only one slot at 8:15. I mean, prove me wrong, but I don’t think any girl wants to play after the 8:15 match,” she said, highlighting the challenges of the late start time, especially when following a men’s best-of-five-set match that could push women’s matches past midnight. Gauff suggested that earlier evening slots, like 6:30 or 7:00 p.m., could make night sessions more appealing for women players. While she noted that “most girls on tour” might prefer earlier matches, she was careful not to frame her comments as a complaint, stating, “It’s just tournament to tournament, and this tournament seems to just do what they want.”
The scheduling controversy has been a recurring issue at Roland Garros, with critics arguing that the tournament’s organizers have been slow to address calls for greater equity. The 8:15 p.m. slot, which draws significant viewership and creates an electric atmosphere under the lights, has been exclusively reserved for ATP matches in 2025, including high-profile clashes like Novak Djokovic versus Mackenzie McDonald and Gaël Monfils versus Hugo Dellien. Fans have questioned why marquee women’s matches, such as Swiatek’s second-round showdown with Emma Raducanu, scheduled for 3:30 p.m., weren’t elevated to the night session. The disparity is particularly striking given the star power of players like Swiatek, Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, and Jasmine Paolini, all of whom have drawn significant attention to the women’s draw.
Not all players share Swiatek and Gauff’s ambivalence about night matches. American Danielle Collins, who recently defeated Swiatek in Rome, emphasized the benefits of night sessions for increasing visibility for women’s tennis. Collins argued that prime-time exposure could elevate the sport’s profile and inspire younger audiences, a sentiment echoed by fans on social media who have called the scheduling decisions a “black eye” for tennis. The debate has also drawn commentary from tennis legends like Chris Evert, who has praised Swiatek’s dominance on clay but urged organizers to consider technological advancements, such as video replay systems, to ensure fairness in high-stakes matches—a nod to Gauff’s emotional dispute with umpire Aurélie Tourte during their 2024 French Open semifinal over a controversial line call.
Despite the scheduling frustrations, both Swiatek and Gauff remain focused on their campaigns. Swiatek, who has not reached a final since her 2024 French Open triumph, faces a tough test against Raducanu, whose recent resurgence under coach Mark Petchey has made her a formidable opponent. Gauff, riding the momentum of her 6-1, 6-1 thrashing of Swiatek in Madrid earlier in 2025, is set to face Czech teenager Tereza Valentova in the second round. Both players are projected to meet only in the final, given their placement in opposite halves of the draw, setting the stage for a potential blockbuster clash. For now, their comments reflect a pragmatic approach to the scheduling debate, balancing personal preferences with a call for incremental change. As the French Open unfolds, the conversation around gender equity in tennis continues to gain traction, with Swiatek and Gauff’s voices adding weight to the push for a more inclusive Roland Garros.
# Swiatek and Gauff on French Open Night Session Controversy
## A Persistent Debate
The French Open’s scheduling practices have once again ignited discussions about gender equality, with no women’s matches featured in the 2025 tournament’s prime-time night session on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The single 8:15 p.m. slot, a highlight of Roland Garros’s electric atmosphere, has been exclusively reserved for men’s matches, drawing criticism from fans and players who see it as a missed opportunity to elevate the women’s game.
## Iga Swiatek’s Perspective
Iga Swiatek, the three-time defending champion and a four-time French Open winner, addressed the issue after her first-round win over Rebecca Sramkova. The 23-year-old Pole expressed a preference for daytime matches, stating, “Every year we talk about it. My position didn’t change. I like playing day. So I’m happy I’m done and can have a longer rest.” While downplaying the controversy, she suggested earlier evening slots, like 6:30 or 7:00 p.m., could make night sessions more appealing for women players, acknowledging the broader debate about gender disparities.
## Coco Gauff’s Take
Coco Gauff, the No. 2 seed and 2023 US Open champion, offered a similar view after her 6-2, 6-2 victory over Olivia Gadecki. “I think here is a unique topic because there is only one slot at 8:15. I mean, prove me wrong, but I don’t think any girl wants to play after the 8:15 match,” she said, noting the late start time’s challenges, especially following men’s best-of-five-set matches. Gauff proposed earlier evening slots and clarified, “It’s just tournament to tournament, and this tournament seems to do what they want,” avoiding direct criticism but highlighting the need for flexibility.
## Broader Implications
The scheduling trend, with ATP matches like Novak Djokovic versus Mackenzie McDonald dominating the night session, has frustrated fans, who questioned why marquee women’s matches, like Swiatek’s clash with Emma Raducanu at 3:30 p.m., weren’t prioritized. American Danielle Collins, however, sees night sessions as a chance to boost the women’s game’s visibility. Social media posts have called the disparity a “black eye” for tennis, amplifying calls for change.
## Focus on the Court
Despite the controversy, Swiatek and Gauff remain focused on their campaigns. Swiatek, facing Raducanu in the second round, continues her quest for a fourth consecutive title, while Gauff, fresh off a dominant win over Swiatek in Madrid, takes on Tereza Valentova. Their comments reflect a pragmatic approach, balancing personal preferences with a push for fairer scheduling, as the tennis world watches for progress at Roland Garros.
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