"People were just as excited to see me": Coco Gauff supports Ons Jabeur's Roland Garros night session musings

Coco Gauff previously said that no WTA stars particularly want to play after the 8:15 slot at the French Open but amid a debate that has stirred this week surrounding the night session again, she has supported Ons Jabeur's thoughts on the situation.

Gauff said that from experience playing night session at the US Open, she is used to fans being just as excited to see her than Novak Djokovic for instance.

But the narrative from some is that the crowds aren't there for top female players at least too in the thought process of the FFT who have been open in their view that WTA players don't draw the crowds in.

This though has been an archain view point which has been slammed and is also a debate that roars on every single year at the French Open.

“I talked about this a few days ago, and to be honest, I didn’t really have all the facts about the situation. I do think that women’s matches are worthy of a night spot. And I think, to be honest, if there were gonna be two spots, I don’t think that a woman should play after the men at 8:15. I just think that’s unfair. Because you could go on at 11:00. And that’s if the match really goes fast. I think there is opportunity to put the match earlier at like 7:00.. like most tournaments do the 2 night slots. I think if they’re gonna put one match at 8:15, there for sure could be opportunity to put a woman there.

"And if they’re gonna put two slots and the first match is starting at 8:15, I don’t think a woman’s match should be play after a men’s match. I don’t think people should be going on at 11:00 or 12:00 to be honest. I definitely do agree with Ons. When you feel, like, what’s best for the fans.. but I feel like we produce some high quality tennis and we have some great stars on the women’s sides that fans would love to see.

"From my experience playing at U.S. Open, night match at 7:00 pm, with Novak following me, and he’s the greatest player of all time, people were almost just as excited to see me play as him. And same as other places I’ve played like Australia, night match, people were excited to see too. So I definitely think there’s opportunity to improve that in the future with this tournament.”