Iga Swiatek Says Women’s Tennis Is Just as Entertaining as Men’s Amid French Open Night Session Controversy

The first six night sessions at the Roland Garros have all been men's matches, with no women's singles match featuring in the primetime slot.

Iga Swiatek Says Women’s Tennis Is Just as Entertaining as Men’s Amid French Open Night Session Controversy

Iga Swiatek (X/Jimmie48photograph)

The major discussion at the French Open has been that no women’s matches are scheduled in the primetime night session. Several women’s players, including Ons Jabeur, have criticized the choice. But reigning champion Iga Swiatek revealed that women’s matches can provide just as much entertainment as the men’s.

The French Open night schedule controversy has been a debate since its inception in 2021. A women’s match has not been on the primetime slot since 2023, while all the past 19-night sessions have been men’s singles matches. In fact, at this year’s edition, the first six night sessions at the Roland Garros have all been men’s matches.

Jabeur, Danielle Collins, and Coco Gauff have criticized the scheduling, claiming it doesn’t promote women’s tennis. But on Friday (May 30), tournament director Amelie Mauresmo rejected the accusations that the decision to only put men’s matches in the night session implies that women are not worthy of it.

Swiatek, who has been very reluctant to get into the continuing debate was asked about it after reaching the fourth round of the French Open. The four-time champion battled past the World No.60 Jacqueline Cristian in the third round to claim an impressive 6-2, 7-5 victory, which improved her win-loss record at the tournament to 38-2.

The former World No.1 revealed that she’s focused on her performance on the court while trying to adapt to the schedule. However, she added that women’s tennis is as entertaining as men’s, which negates Mauresmo’s claim that the reason for not having women’s night matches is because it finishes in mostly two sets.

I think it should be equal, although it doesn’t worry me too much, I focus on doing my job. I adapt to the schedule I’m given, and that’s it, but yes, I think it should be equal because women’s matches can also provide a high level of entertainment. As you have seen in my match today, people have really enjoyed the encounter; we have provided a great show; that’s why I think it should be equal, that’s all.

Nonetheless, Swiatek has increased her winning run at the French Open to 24 matches. She’s seeking to become the first woman to win four successive titles in Paris in over a century. The 23-year-old will face Elena Rybakina in the round of 16 after the Kazakhstan star knocked out Jelena Ostapenko in the third round.

Iga Swiatek says fewer tournaments will make tennis more fun

In recent years, the tennis calendar has become more hectic, and players are finding it difficult to adapt. Some ATP and WTA 1000 tournaments, which were played in just a week, are now two weeks like Grand Slam tournaments. At the French Open, several players, including Alex de Minaur, have opened up about the hectic scheduling issue.

Iga Swiatek (4)
Iga Swiatek (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

Iga Swiatek was asked about it after her win over Jacqueline Cristian in the third round. She admitted that fewer tournaments in a calendar year would make the sports more fun and less pressure on the players.

It’s not an easy topic, I think if we had fewer tournaments, everything would be more fun, but that’s today’s tennis, a tiring sport due to the schedule. It’s not easy to maintain that fun all the time, but I love it, I enjoy working and training. For example, for me, training is always fun, although it’s less fun when we feel the pressure and expectations on the court.

Swiatek is now 38-2 in her first 40 matches at the Roland, tying Chris Evert’s record for the most main draw wins at the tournament. However, she’s yet to win a title this season and has not been to any final since the 2024 French Open.

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