Tennis broadcaster and commentator calls for review with 0/6 night matches at Roland Garros featuring women

The scheduling has been a topic at this year's Roland Garros (French Open), especially as the days pass and we've yet to see a women's match in the premier spot.

For the majority of this event, we've seen men's matches at the premier spot at the event. The explanation given by tournament director Amelie Mauresmo was that the time slot is generally reserved for the best match of the day and for much of this event it was a men's match. It kind of makes sense especially when you consider that men's matches have better crowds at this year's event and it's not hard to prove it.

Just a glance at the stands during the matches proves that. Even so, there is a need to promote women's matches equally and having a few at the night shift slot would be great. A noted tennis journalist called that out on social media highlighting the difference:

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“The night session at the French Open is billed as the match of the day. Last year, 1 in 10 nights were women’s matches. This year so far, 0 of the 6 nights will have had women’s matches scheduled. Tomorrow night [June 3], Zverev vs. Tiafoe. No Swiatek, Jabeur or Gauff vs. Andreeva.

Swiatek declines the night shift

The possibly biggest draw in the women's draw would be Iga Swiatek, a player who has been the number one for over a year now. Unfortunately for the event, Swiatek made it clear that she doesn't want to play the night shift matches preferring to play during the day. That might have been a factor too but ultimately the difference is to stark to simply ignore.

Law added:

"A year ago, TD Amelie Mauresmo apologised for saying women’s tennis did not have the same ‘appeal’ when asked about the scheduling. It was her first year. She said the Tournament would review it. That adjustments were needed.  Ok. So where are they?"

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