The French Open has taken a significant step toward addressing long-standing criticism of its scheduling by confirming a women's singles match for the prime-time night session for the first time in three years. The fourth-round clash between world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and former top-ranked star Naomi Osaka on Monday will break a sequence of 33 consecutive men's matches held in the prestigious evening slot.
Since the introduction of the night session at Roland Garros in 2021, the tournament has overwhelmingly favoured men's contests. Out of the first 60 matches played under the lights, only four featured women, and none had been scheduled since the 2023 edition. This imbalance sparked repeated outcry from players and observers, who accused organisers of denying the women's game equal exposure during the most-watched part of the day.
Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo has defended the policy by arguing that the single-match format demands contests that are likely to deliver extended entertainment and value for ticket-holders. She has previously pointed to the best-of-three-set structure in women’s tennis, which can result in shorter matches compared to the men’s best-of-five. Critics, however, noted that such reasoning effectively penalised female players for a format they did not choose and undermined the principle of gender equality at Grand Slams.
The breakthrough comes largely due to a depleted men’s draw in the top half. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and record 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic both suffered shock second-round exits, while reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz withdrew before the tournament because of injury. With few marquee names left on the men’s side, the Sabalenka–Osaka blockbuster became the obvious headliner for the evening session.
American Jessica Pegula was among those who publicly condemned the scheduling bias last year. She questioned how an event that claims to uphold equality could so consistently overlook women’s night sessions. Tunisian star Ons Jabeur echoed that sentiment, highlighting a self-reinforcing cycle in which broadcasters and organisers show more men’s matches, then point to higher viewership as justification—ignoring their own role in shaping audience habits.
Osaka, a four-time major winner returning to her best form, admitted after her third-round victory that she does not even associate Roland Garros with night tennis, as she is so accustomed to playing under the lights only at the US Open. Her comment underlined how deeply the scheduling pattern had influenced perceptions of the tournament’s identity.
The decision also follows a meeting this week between new WTA chief executive Valerie Camillo and Mauresmo, during which Camillo pressed for greater representation of women in prime time. While officials have not committed to a permanent change, the Sabalenka–Osaka fixture is being seen as a test case. If it draws strong attendance and television ratings, it could strengthen arguments for a more equitable split going forward.
For Sabalenka, the current world No. 1 and a two-time Australian Open champion, the occasion offers a chance to cement her dominance on a grand stage. Osaka, a former world No. 1 who has battled injury and mental health challenges, is seeking to recapture the form that delivered four Grand Slam titles. Their meeting carries enormous competitive and symbolic weight, pitting the tour’s reigning powerhouse against one of its most influential global icons.
The implications extend beyond a single match. Women’s tennis has long pushed for equal billing at major events, and scheduling parity is a key battleground. The French Open’s stance has been especially contentious because it is the only Grand Slam that uses a night session with just one match, magnifying the exclusion. If Monday’s contest proves to be an isolated event rather than the start of a genuine shift, the debate will likely resurface even louder.
In the broader fight for visibility, this development matters. Prime-time slots attract higher viewership, bigger sponsorship interest and greater cultural relevance. Denying women that spotlight not only deprives fans of potential classics but also sends a message about whose achievements are worthy of prime-time attention. As Jabeur noted, when you consistently show men, of course audiences become conditioned to watch men—creating a cycle that is hard to break unless organisers actively intervene.
The French Open’s decision may have been forced by circumstance, but it nonetheless corrects a glaring imbalance. Whether it marks a temporary fix or the beginning of lasting change will depend on how the tournament responds in future years when the men’s draw is again stacked with star power. For now, the tennis world will be watching closely on Monday night, hoping that a spectacular match justifies the opportunity and nudges the sport closer to genuine scheduling equality.
Based on reporting from Sky Sports.