French Open 2023 - ‘It’s ridiculous’ - Mats Wilander on lack of women’s night matches at Roland-Garros
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 01/06/2023 at 22:02 GMT
Four days into the French Open and so far there haven't been any women's matches played in the night session on Court Philippe-Chatrier. It's a decision by the organisers that Eurosport's expert Mats Wilander has slammed as "ridiculous", while World No.1 Iga Swiatek also had her say on the issue. Stream the 2023 French Open live on Eurosport and discovery+
Eurosport's experts discuss rivalry between Swiatek, Sabalenka, Rybakina and Jabeur
Eurosport expert Mats Wilander has branded the decision not to stage any women’s matches in the night sessions of the French Open so far as “ridiculous”.
Four days into the competition, all late matches on Court Philippe-Chatrier have been reserved for the men, a decision that has sparked debate with World No.1 Iga Swiatek, Wilander and Tim Henman weighing in with opinion.
It was an issue raised last year by Barbara Schett, who believed the WTA would speak to Roland-Garros organisers about what she felt was a disparity in the schedule, but alas, it remains a talking point in 2023.
Wilander said: “I think that it's ridiculous to not have ladies matches at night. I mean, it's such an easy problem to solve. You throw in a French pair in mixed doubles where they play shorter matches, they don't play three sets, they play a tie breaker at one set all.
“I mean, you’ve just got to give them another hour of entertainment in case Iga Swiatek plays.
“The people here would love to support a French mixed team in doubles on centre court. I don't think that is the problem, I think there is another issue because the problem is very easily solved.”
Swiatek was asked about it in her press conference on Thursday after defeating Claire Liu.
“Obviously, it would be nice if we had women's matches as well, but as I said, I'm not kind of helping that because I always request a day session,” the Polish star said.
“There are players who like the hype and the energy, and maybe playing during the night because also of the conditions. But for me it's more comfortable to just have the normal day/night rhythm, and I kind of lost it after Madrid.
“So, in terms of regeneration, recovery, and just kind of being in a good rhythm and also keeping better mindset through the end of the tournament, I think it's more healthy for me to play day sessions. But I'll be also ready for night sessions. I already played many of them this year or last year.”
Henman said it was a challenge for the organisers looking ahead.
“I mean, the challenge for the tournament is if you've only got one match and you've got the option of a best-of-five set match or best-of-three sets, probably for the ticket holder, they're thinking best-of-five sets.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2023/06/01/3717509-75640113-2560-1440.jpg)
'Wow, that's a surprise!' - Reaction to Swiatek having same forehand speed as men's star
“When you look at Swiatek matches, you know, she's winning so quickly. You know, she wins in an hour then are the ticket holders going to get value for money?
“But then you're looking at the equality and the tournament have said, ‘we very much have four matches on centre court each day and that is being, you know, two men's and two women’.
“So I think, moving forward, it’s going to be interesting to see whether they do put the women's matches at night.”
“So I think, moving forward, it’s going to be interesting to see whether they do put the women's matches at night.”
- - -
Stream the 2023 French Open live on Eurosport and discovery+
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement