As the 2025 French Open unfolds on the iconic red clay of Roland Garros, a simmering controversy over the tournament’s scheduling has taken center stage, with defending champion Iga Swiatek lending her powerful voice to the call for gender equality in night session matches. The world No. 5, fresh off a hard-fought 6-2, 7-5 victory over Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian in the third round, echoed Tunisian star Ons Jabeur’s criticism of the tournament’s decision to feature only men’s singles matches in the prestigious evening slots on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Swiatek’s candid stance, delivered in a press conference, has reignited a debate that has persisted since night sessions were introduced in 2021, highlighting the need for equal visibility for women’s tennis.
For the first seven days of the 2025 tournament, all night sessions—prime-time slots starting after 8:15 p.m. local time—have showcased men’s matches, including high-profile clashes like Novak Djokovic’s third-round win over Filip Misolic and Holger Rune’s upcoming bout against Emilio Nava. This pattern, which saw all 11 night sessions in 2024 dedicated to men, has drawn sharp criticism from players like Jabeur, a three-time Grand Slam finalist. “It’s still sad we are still seeing this,” Jabeur said after her first-round exit to Magdalena Frech. “In Europe, it’s unfortunate for women’s sports in general. Whoever is making the decision, I don’t think they have daughters, because I don’t think they want to treat their daughters like this.” Jabeur pointed to missed opportunities, like the electrifying 2024 clash between Swiatek and Naomi Osaka, which deserved a night slot. “I’m not sure what kind of fans he’s talking about,” she added, challenging French Tennis Federation president Gilles Moretton’s claim that men’s matches are “better for spectators.”
Swiatek, who has won four of the last five Roland Garros titles, initially expressed indifference to the scheduling, citing her preference for daytime matches. “Personally, it’s not like I have big feelings about it because I just do my job and I adjust to the schedule I’m given,” she said. However, pressed on the issue, she firmly backed Jabeur’s call for equality, emphasizing the entertainment value of women’s tennis. “I think it should be equal because women’s matches can be entertaining in the same way,” Swiatek declared. “As you could see today in my match, there were even waves and everything. So people like it. We can put on a nice show. That’s why I think it should be equal. That’s it.” Her comments, referencing the Mexican waves during her match on Court Suzanne Lenglen, underscored the crowd’s enthusiasm for women’s tennis, countering arguments that men’s five-set matches inherently draw larger audiences.
Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo, a former WTA world No. 1, defended the scheduling, citing the shorter duration of women’s three-set matches as a factor. “Two sets can go really fast when you have three sets minimum,” she said, insisting that the choices are not about women being “not worthy” of night slots. Mauresmo hinted at potential women’s matches in upcoming sessions, pointing to rivalries like Swiatek vs. Elena Rybakina, set for the fourth round, or clashes involving Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff. “We have some rivalries which are interesting,” she noted, suggesting the women’s draw could offer compelling options. Yet, with only four women’s matches featured in 36 night sessions since 2021, the disparity remains stark compared to the U.S. Open and Australian Open, which balance men’s and women’s matches in prime time.
The controversy has sparked broader discussions about gender representation in tennis. Jabeur’s impassioned social media post on May 30, 2025, stated, “Honouring one side of the sport shouldn’t mean ignoring the other,” amplifying the call for change. Swiatek’s advocacy, though tempered by her focus on her title defense—she faces Rybakina next after Rybakina’s 6-3, 6-4 win over Jelena Ostapenko—has added weight to the debate. The WTA also issued a statement urging combined tournaments to showcase both tours equally in premium slots. As Swiatek, with her 24-match Roland Garros win streak, continues her quest for a fifth title, her stand alongside Jabeur signals a push for a fairer stage, ensuring women’s tennis shines as brightly as the men’s under the Parisian lights.
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