Swiatek v Paolini crowned least watched French Open final in tournament history in the US

Iga Swiatek was always expected to win the French Open final but such was the case that it was crowned the least watched final in tournament history in the United States as she thrashed Jasmine Paolini last weekend.

Swiatek was a huge favourite for the tournament winning in Rome and Madrid in the prior weeks and even though she survived a scare against Naomi Osaka, she had a memorable run to the final where she faced Paolini. The Italian whilst now a top 10 player showed that she wasn't on Swiatek's level.

The Pole smooth sailed to a 6-2, 6-1 win to seal a third successive win at the major tournament. But in the US, they seemed to switch off. In particular likely due to Coco Gauff losing in the semi-finals and also time zone also being factors. Due to how the finals get scheduled, it would've been played in the middle of the night for some in the States.

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The coverage in the USA averaged 0.49 and 756,000. This is even down on last year which saw Swiatek and Karolina Muchova average 0.6 and 1.04 million. It is the least watched final now in US history albeit with the Belmont Stakes and Stanley Cup likely more important to American sports fans. But it is a damning blow for this side of the sport.

Amelie Mauresmo hit back after not scheduling a single women's match in the Night Session with criticism constantly levied that men's tennis is preferred. Andrea Petkovic though stuck up for Swiatek this week which is pertinent in this point after she was called boring. "A thing that has not only made me unhappy but straight-up furious is the blatant misogyny that Iga Swiatek is facing for BEING TOO GOOD AT HER JOB," Petkovic wrote on Substack.

"I never heard anybody complain when nearly forty-year-old Novak Djokovic beats young talents on one leg because he’s that good but when a woman cruises through the field suddenly WOMEN’S TENNIS IS BORING and Iga Swiatek is not good for tennis," she added.

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Iga Świątek

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