World No. 1 Iga Swiatek and rising star Coco Gauff have spoken out about the ongoing debate surrounding the lack of night session matches for women at the French Open. The two tennis stars expressed concern over what many see as a growing gender inequality issue in the sport, especially at one of the most prestigious Grand Slam tournaments.
So far in the 2025 French Open, nine of the ten scheduled night matches have featured men’s singles matches. This trend has sparked criticism from fans, commentators, and now, from top female players themselves. Night matches are typically seen as prime-time events with higher viewership, and missing out on them means less visibility, fewer sponsorship opportunities, and unequal media coverage for female athletes.
Swiatek, a three-time French Open champion, addressed the issue after her straight-sets win on Court Philippe-Chatrier. “I think we deserve to be on that stage as much as the men do,” she said. “There are so many great rivalries and personalities in women’s tennis right now. We put in the same work, the same effort, and we should get the same exposure.”
Coco Gauff, the 2022 French Open finalist and current world No. 3, echoed Swiatek’s sentiments. Speaking at a post-match press conference, Gauff noted, “The numbers don’t lie. If it’s nine out of ten going to the men, it’s clearly not balanced. I understand logistics and preferences, but at the end of the day, women’s tennis is just as exciting and deserves the same respect.”
Tournament organizers have defended the scheduling decisions by pointing to various factors, including perceived fan interest, match length, and ticket sales. However, critics argue that these justifications only reinforce outdated biases. Many believe the excuse of men’s matches being more appealing in the evening is rooted in tradition rather than current trends. In fact, recent WTA matches have delivered some of the most thrilling and dramatic moments of the tournament.
Billie Jean King, a long-time advocate for equality in tennis, weighed in via social media, stating, “Prime-time slots are more than just game times—they’re about representation and fairness. If women don’t get equal exposure, the cycle of inequality continues.”
Swiatek and Gauff’s statements have already started conversations across the tennis world. Fans and former players have applauded their courage to speak up. Social media has been abuzz with hashtags like #FairPlay and #EqualCourtTime trending globally.
As the tournament enters its second week, all eyes will be on whether the French Tennis Federation will respond to the growing criticism and consider adjusting its approach. For Swiatek and Gauff, their goal remains the same: winning matches. But they’ve also made it clear that they’re ready to fight for something bigger than a trophy—fairness and respect for women in sport.
Whether this leads to change at Roland Garros remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the message has been delivered loud and clear.
