Gauff proposes new slot for women’s matches at Roland-Garros, claims female players are against playing late
Coco Gauff advocates for an early start to the night sessions at French Open amid discontent over men sweeping the slots for prime time matches
© Julien Nouet / Tennis Majors
Like every year, the debate around Roland Garros favouring men over women for prime time matches is hot, but Coco Gauff seems to have a solution.
It has been three days since the main draw action of the French Open began but the girls are yet to headline Court Philippe-Chatrier‘s night sessions, that begin after 8:15 pm local time.
While the disparity continues to dismay many, WTA No 2 Coco Gauff has advocated for an early start to the night sessions to accommodate the women’s contests, arguing her colleagues would be against playing late.
“I think here it’s a unique topic just because there is only one slot at 8:15,” the American told the reporters after winning her first-round match on Tuesday. “To be honest, I don’t think any girl, prove me wrong, but I don’t think anyone wants to play after the 8:15 match. I don’t know what the other girls think, but I think most people would rather play before that. Maybe there is a chance to put someone at 6:30 or 7:00.
“But if there is only going to be one match at 8:15, maybe there could be a woman’s match, but if they want to start the night session at 8:15, I’m sure most girls on tour would rather not play after a men’s match and have to go on at 11:00 or 12:00.”
“Most tournaments have the two matches”
Gauff further highlighted that French Open organisers approach the night sessions differently than other tournaments, holding just one match in the dark instead of two.
“I think it’s just tournament to tournament,” she added. “This tournament it seems like this is what they want. Most tournaments do have the two matches, one starting at 7:00 and one afterwards. I can’t really complain, but I think it’s just up to the tournament, honestly.”
Gauff, the No 2 seed in singles draw, also played her first-round match on Court Philippe-Chatrier during Tuesday’s morning session, defeating Australian Olivia Gadecki 6-2, 6-2 in an hour, 12 minutes. She will play Czechia’s Tereza Valentova next.
