Iga Swiatek (left) and Naomi Osaka played a classic game. Photo: Getty Images
“Osaka vs Swiatek was a brilliant watch,” Andy Murray wrote on social media mid-match on Tuesday afternoon. «The WTA needs to do more to capitalize on these matches!»
Murray is probably right, but in this case the Women's Tennis Association was not the main culprit. They have no say in decisions about the Roland Garros schedule, which has consistently refused to give women equal billing.
There have been 21 night sessions since 2022, when the French Tennis Federation extended play beyond the clock. darkness for the first time. However, this title only features two women's matches.
The debate often seems symbolic or philosophical, but on Tuesday it had real practical consequences.
Swiatek-Osaka was both great sport and exciting theater with a twist in the tail. However, the match was played in a half-full stadium because it was scheduled for the third and final slot of the afternoon session. Fans have already watched four and a half hours of tennis under the roof of Court Philippe Chatrier. Many were exhausted and went to have coffee and a croissant or see the chic paraphernalia of Roland Garros.
On the contrary, if it was a night session, all the seats would be taken.< /p>
This is not just a look back. Earlier on Wednesday afternoon, last year's Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur told reporters: “I'd like to treat today's Osaka-Iga match as a night session. I wish they [FFT] would try more. I watch TV every day. Many men's matches have more than women's matches.»
Here's context for some of the strange quirks of tennis. The ATP, which governs the men's game, is currently busy developing a commercial partnership with the WTA. They bring in much more income than their sisters, making negotiations more difficult. Yet how can women catch up if they constantly lack daily planning decisions?
The Osaka-Swiatek match marked the first time in five years that two women with four or more Grand Slam titles faced each other at a Major. (Previously it was Serena Williams vs. Maria Sharapova here in Paris in 2019.) It had a big name and star power, but was still relegated to second in the day's pecking order due to the Richard Gasquet vs. Jannik Sinner fight .
This might help. If only more women had supported Jabeur by making noise about their treatment. During interviews following Swiatek's recovery after the match, both participants were asked if they would like to play at night.
«I don't know,» Osaka replied, «I'm just here for the vibe.» Swiatek then continued: “I’m happy with my match at this time because I didn’t finish at midnight and I can go to bed normally. Of course, I could talk about the fans and everything else, but I see it more from my point of view, and for me this is a more convenient option.
There is one obvious explanation for the inequality between men and women. at the night session. If you are programming only one match, it is stated that it should be a best-of-five setter. Thus, the one-sided defeat will last at least 90 minutes. Whereas a 6-1, 6-1 score on the women's team — which is far from uncommon for Swiatek — can be achieved in just 50.
Still, there has to be a way around this conundrum, even if it means that several commentators will be ready to put on a tennis uniform and play a match of legends. If the Roland Garros schedule can only focus on men, it urgently needs to be rethought.
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