No women’s matches on the best TV moment?: Night session in Paris divides the tennis world

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On day eight of the French Open, with the connection between Aryna Sabalenka (25) and Sloane Stephens (30), a women’s match will be played for the first time in the night session. After all, the number two in the world against 30. And yet the fans promptly responded with a tit-for-tat response. After the Sunday schedule was published, hundreds of expensive tickets went on sale again – many suddenly didn’t want it anymore.

That annoys Tunisian top player Ons Jabeur: It’s time to change the view on women’s tennis: “How can you judge women’s matches if you don’t watch them?” There are also exciting matches with great entertainment value on the WTA tour. You have to give women a fair chance.

One problem: Swiatek takes care of their opponents

The organizers of the French Open face a dilemma. So far they have used other criteria. In men’s matches, fans get at least three, possibly even five sets for their money during an evening match. The fear of a scenario like that of Iga Swiatek (22) on Saturday is great, when the Polish number one in the world knocked out her opponent 6-0, 6-0 in just 51 minutes. And yet, on the other hand, an effort must be made to give women the same big stage at the best TV moment.

But here comes the following problem. Because opinions vary widely. While Jabeur welcomes and demands evening games, others don’t want them at all. Swiatek, in turn, has submitted to the tournament management that they only want to play during the day so as not to jeopardize their day-night rhythm. The American Coco Gauff (19) also explained that “no one” wanted such late matches voluntarily.

Women’s games don’t last all night

Alexander Zverev (26), who played four sets from 8:30 p.m. to 12:18 p.m. on Saturday, described the evening’s effort as “no longer healthy”. Especially since he was busy with media appointments until 1:30 am. He says: “You can let the women play better, because they play a maximum of three sets.”

Jabeur will like to hear that. However, some of their competitors and fans who want to see a long night spectacle do not.

Source : Blick