Aryna Sabalenka criticizes sexist scheduling of French Open women's matches

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00:00The greatest tennis players hit the orange court.

00:04The 2025 French Open has once again been shrouded in offside controversy

00:09all over the scheduling of women's matches.

00:12The first six night sessions, typically the primetime slot, have all been men's singles matches.

00:18While the debate isn't new, this year it's been headed by the top-ranked player in women's tennis.

00:23We deserve the equal treatment and there was a lot of great battles,

00:28a lot of great matches which would be cool to see as a night session

00:34just so more people understand watching these incredible battles.

00:37Since the introduction of the night sessions in 2021,

00:40only four matches have been from the women's draw.

00:43And for the fourth year in a row, the tournament director has dismissed it as an issue.

00:48What do you think the consequences are of essentially telling women that they're not worthy?

00:55That's not what we are saying. I have to stop you right there.

00:58Okay. Well, that's not what you are saying, but that's the message that they are receiving?

01:04For me, the message that I always said and I will repeat.

01:09As I said, the conditions did not change from having one unique match in the evening.

01:16So for me, the message is not changing and it has never been that the girls are not worthy to play at night.

01:25Each year, the French Open offers similar explanations as to why the night session has almost always been a men's match,

01:32including that their best of five set format is likely to offer more time on court for ticket buyers

01:37than the best of three set up for women.

01:39This year, it insists certain television contracts mean there can only be one night match.

01:45Some female players have long argued organisers could solve the problem by starting earlier

01:50or fighting for two matches at night, like the US and Australian Opens.

01:55So thank you very much.

01:56So.

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