"I wish she had gone to the rubric of the US Open and looked at what they do" - Chris Evert on Amelie Mauresmo's controversial comments on French Open night sessions
Former World No. 1 Chris Evert gave her two cents on Amelie Mauresmo's comments on the scheduling of night sessions at the French Open.
Although the 2022 French Open was successful overall, there was one major facet which drew significant criticism — fewer night matches for women as compared to men. Out of the 10 night sessions scheduled, nine involved men's matches.
Subsequently, tournament director Amelie Mauresmo came under heavy scrutiny regarding her comments on scheduling night sessions at Roland Garros. Mauresmo stated that men's matches tend to attract more viewers and have more appeal than women's matches.
“In this era that we are in right now, and as a woman and a former woman’s player, I don’t feel bad or unfair saying that you have more attraction, appeal in general, for the men’s matches.,” Mauresmo said.
During an interview with Eurosport, American legend Chris Evert expressed her disappointment at the unfair scheduling, calling it a "glaring weakness" on Mauresmo's part. While Evert stated that the Frenchwoman did "a pretty good job" overall, she added that Mauresmo must address the issue going forward.
"I think one big mistake was the night match. It was all men. I think there was one women’s match, it was all men. That’s not right. We have equal prize money, we should have equal time. I wish she would have gone to the rubric of the US Open and looked at what they do. 7 o’clock match, you could even start at 6.30, have a men’s and women’s or women’s and men’s. Keep it equal because to me, that was a glaring weakness in the tournament. So, all in all, she did a pretty good job, but that has to change,” Evert said.
"We have equal prize money, we should have 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞"
Chris Evert believes there should have been 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥 men's and women's night matches at Roland-Garros this year 🇫🇷
#RolandGarros | @ChrissieEvert https://t.co/bCNGTn1m6s
Among the first to condemn these views was 18-time Grand Slam singles champion Martina Navratilova, who described Mauresmo's comments as "disappointing."
"Amelie Mauresmo: Women’s tennis matches less compelling - The Washington Post- very disappointing comments from Mauresmo, to say the least…," Navratilova's tweet read.
Amelie Mauresmo: Women’s tennis matches less compelling - The Washington Post- very disappointing comments from Mauresmo, to say the least… washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/06…
"Everyone in the world can see more women matches than men matches" - Rafael Nadal on the French Open night matches
After winning his 14th French Open title on Sunday, 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal weighed in on the scheduling of night matches. Nadal said that having more women's matches during the day was better as day sessions were being broadcast on free-to-watch channels.
"The prize money is equal. Matches on the center court are equal — two for women and two for men per day. During the day, women are playing two matches while men are playing one match. The television is open during day-time and you see matches on open channels. At night, you see it in a private broadcast. We are losing more than women. Everyone in the world can see more women matches than men matches," said Nadal.