Aryna Sabalenka wants 'equal treatment' over scheduling of French Open women's matches

Australia Broadcast Center

2 days ago

Aryna Sabalenka is the top-ranked player in women's tennis.
Yet even that status did not spare her from competing in front of empty seats at Roland-Garros.
The three-time major singles champion faced China's Zheng Qinwen in the first quarterfinal match on Tuesday, beginning at 11am (local time) on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
When play began, large sections of the 15,000-seat stadium were still unoccupied.
It is a common sight in the early hours at the French Open, when many ticket holders opt for lunch or arrive later in the day.
"It was a big match and probably would make more sense to put us a little bit later just so more people could watch it," Sabalenka said after her 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 win.
"I definitely think that would make more sense to kind of like move our match for a little bit later."
But scheduling more night sessions for women is proving a tough issue to resolve for French Open tournament director Amélie Mauresmo.
Since the introduction of night sessions in 2021, only four women's singles matches have been featured in that marquee time slot.
Serena Williams played in the first night match at Roland-Garros, but pandemic restrictions meant the stands were empty.
No women's matches have been scheduled for the evening session this year, which Sabalenka said needed to be changed.
Asked about her views on the fact that women have not played a single night match this year, the Belarusian said they deserved "equal treatment."
"There was a lot of … great battles, a lot of great matches which would be cool to see as night sessions," Sabalenka said.
"Just more people in the stands watching these incredible battles. And just to show ourselves to more people. I definitely agree that we deserve to be put on a bigger stage. Like better timing, more people watching."
Sabalenka plays defending champion and fifth seed Iga Świątek in the semifinals.
Świątek, chasing a fifth French Open title, defeated 13th seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine 6-1, 7-5.
American Francis Tiafoe said tennis rules lacked consistency after Lorenzo Musetti escaped punishment for kicking a ball that struck a line official in his quarterfinal victory.
The incident occurred in the second set of their match when Musetti was given balls to serve.
The Italian kicked one with his left leg and inadvertently hit a line judge, who barely flinched even though she was hit on her upper body.
Musetti apologised and was immediately given a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct by the chair umpire.
But he was not defaulted and the incident drew comparisons to another involving Novak Djokovic at the 2020 US Open.
A petulant swipe at the ball after having his serve broken brought an end to Djokovic's campaign in New York five years ago after he struck a line judge in the throat.
"Obviously he [Musetti] did that and nothing happened," Tiafoe told reporters after his 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 defeat.
"I think that's comical, but it is what it is. Nothing happened, so there's nothing really to talk about.
"Obviously, it's not consistent, so it is what it is."
Musetti said it was an "unlucky coincidence".
"I immediately went to the line umpire, and I of course said sorry, I apologised to everyone," Musetti said.
"It was right to have a warning, but I think the umpire saw that there was no intention about that, and that's why probably just let me continue my game."
Musetti will next face defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, who advanced to the semifinals via a 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 victory over 12th seed Tommy Paul.
Reuters