Better matches in night session usually for men

The president of France's tennis federation has stepped on a landmine of the tournament's own creation, by implying that the French Open is not placing women in the featured night session on the biggest court at Roland Garros because the men's tournament offers "better matches".

- Matthew Futterman

"The schedule is one key point on the tournament. Sometimes we have to think about what could be better for spectators. That's why sometimes we have to make some choices," Gilles Moretton said on May 26.

Moretton said he would not speak for Amelie Mauresmo, tournament director since 2021 and a former women's world No. 1 player, who is ultimately responsible for the scheduling.

For several years, those choices have almost always resulted in a men's singles match occupying the night slot on Court Philippe-Chatrier, the main stadium.

They have often resulted in women playing in the first two slots of the four available each day, at the start of play, when crowds are more sparse.