The 2025 French Open has been a showcase of world-class talent, but not always to a full house. While top men’s matches are featured in packed prime-time slots, some of the most anticipated women’s matches have been tucked away in early-morning sessions, often to empty seats and minimal broadcast attention.
For world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, it was a turning point. After playing her quarterfinal match in front of a nearly silent crowd at 11 a.m., she openly questioned why women’s matches continue to be scheduled outside of peak hours.
The Echo Grows Louder
Sabalenka is far from alone. Fellow stars Coco Gauff and Ons Jabeur have also voiced concerns about being sidelined, arguing that scheduling directly impacts visibility, sponsorship opportunities, and fan growth. Gauff noted that fans want to support women’s tennis, but they need the opportunity to watch it live.
This growing outcry highlights how, even in 2025, female athletes still face structural disadvantages at the highest levels of their sport. The issue is not prize money anymore, it is presence.
Why Scheduling Matters
Match time may seem like a minor detail, but it plays a major role in how the sport is consumed. Evening matches attract TV coverage, digital highlights, and global fan engagement. Morning slots, on the other hand, often go unnoticed.
For women’s tennis to grow, equal time must follow equal pay. Otherwise, female players remain underrepresented on the global stage, even as they rise in rankings and popularity.
Pushing for Change
While tournament officials have defended their decisions with vague references to logistics, the pressure is mounting. Players are no longer afraid to speak out, and their voices are forcing conversations that can’t be ignored.
The question now is not whether people want to watch women’s sports, but whether institutions are willing to let them.
