Coco Gauff makes BOLD claim on French Open’s sexism of scheduling only men’s matches in night sessions at the Philippe Chatrier

Coco Gauff unbothered by night prime spot being given to male players

Coco Gauff makes BOLD claim on French Open’s sexism of scheduling only men’s matches in night sessions at the Philippe Chatrier

Coco Gauff (Image Credit: AP news)

French Open’s sexist stance of scheduling only men’s matches at the nighttime prime sport is not a cause of concern for Coco Gauff. The World No. 6 did not even pay attention to the fact that only men’s matches were scheduled for the nighttime prime spot at Philippe Chatrier till a journalist brought it to her notice.

“I didn’t see that they were scheduled,” said Coco Gauff when a journalist asked her reaction to men getting preference over women players to play night matches at the main court at French Open. The American pleaded ignorance on the issue. “To be honest, I mean, I didn’t realize only the men have been scheduled in that spot,” added Gauff. Gauff had presumed that night sessions might not be that preferable for players. She said, “I don’t know if the night session amongst the players is a popular hotspot, to be honest.”

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She also spoke on behalf of most of her female counterparts, saying that as far as her knowledge went, no player was really hung-ho about playing late at night. “But amongst the players and from my conversations, I don’t think a lot of people want that spot just because it is a late night.” She felt the scheduling and all might be of more impact on the TV channels and streaming platform.

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The night spot might be the most coveted for coverage, but to a player that made little sense. “I guess for the TV and that’s the prime spot. Maybe yes, it does suck in that sense,” added Gauff.

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Coco Gauff is happy with men taking away the nighttime matches

Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff (Image Credit: US Open)

Gauff reached her 4th round at the French Open 2023, by defeating 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva. This is the third time the young American has gone in the 4th round of the French Open and she feels that issues like scheduling etc. are not very important to her. “I really don’t have much opinion on it,” said Coco Gauff.

When questioned about how her female peers felt about it she added, “Yeah, I really don’t have much say on that.” But she said that perhaps it could matter to some players such as fellow American Sloane Sanders and Aryna Sabalenka. “Yeah, I mean, just speaking to the players, I don’t know if Sloane or Aryna wanted to play at that time, but I know the ones I spoke to, no one really wants the night session.” Then on a light note, she added that she felt that men took away the burden of playing night matches off of women players’ shoulders. She added, “On that sense, we were happy with the men taking it.”

Coco Gauff, in a bittersweet manner, ultimately accepted yes, there is a tradeoff as she knew it’s a prime spot. Coco at the end added, “but obviously it is the prime spot. So it does suck a little bit in that way. It depends on how you think about it, to be honest.”

Gauff will take on Slovakian player Anna Karolína Schmiedlová in the 4th round.

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