Each of the past 32 primetime sessions at the French Open has been given to the men. Not a single women's match has been scheduled in the coveted night slot since 2023.
According to BBC Sport, the debate over scheduling equity at Roland Garros has resurfaced again this year, with several high-profile players speaking out. Since the one-match night sessions were introduced in 2021, only four of the 60 slots on Court Philippe Chatrier have gone to women's matches.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka captured the depth of the problem on Saturday when she said she did not "even associate" the French Open with night matches.
Jelena Ostapenko, who won the French Open women's singles title in 2017, is one of the few women to have played in a night session. Her second-round match against France's Alize Cornet was scheduled in the night slot in 2022. Ostapenko told BBC Sport she believes the imbalance needs to change.
"I wish women's tennis could be shown more in those spots. The men always have the priority with the scheduling, they take the most popular slots, and on bigger courts," Ostapenko said. "I like to play at night - especially when the stadiums are full. I'm the kind of player that really enjoys it when there are a lot of fans watching and I think that's what we all play for."
American world number five Jessica Pegula said last year she felt like she was "hitting her head against the wall" over the subject. Two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur went further, questioning whether the people making the scheduling decisions "have daughters."
"I don't think they have daughters, because I don't think they want to treat their daughters like this," Jabeur said.
The criticism prompted newly appointed WTA chief executive Valerie Camillo to seek a direct meeting with French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo at Roland Garros this week. Mauresmo is a former women's world number one. The WTA described the conversation as open and productive. Camillo expressed her belief that women's players have delivered some of the most exciting competition in global sport in recent years.
Mauresmo has consistently pointed to the risk of women's matches ending quickly as the reasoning behind the scheduling choices. Whether Camillo's call for action produces any changes remains to be seen.
Tickets for night sessions at Roland Garros range from €60 to €280.
Sunday's scheduled night match is between Casper Ruud and Joao Fonseca, continuing the streak.
