"Night matches just don't work at Roland Garros" - Tennis fans weigh in on controversial French Open scheduling
The French Open is facing backlash for scheduling late-night matches this year. Pundits, players, and fans alike have criticised the timings, with some wanting the organizers to get rid of the night sessions altogether.
The quarterfinal clash between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic started just before 9 pm in Paris and ended at 1:15 am.
Some of the reasons behind the criticism include the unavailability of public transport at the end of matches, temperatures dropping below 15°C, and disruption of the players' schedules.
Yeah, this night session situation needs to change before next year, without a doubt. twitter.com/stu_fraser/sta…
Fans weren't shy about expressing their disapproval on social media.
"Not Paris’s finest few days in terms of hosting sporting events. Bear in mind that Wimbledon have a rank of taxis directly outside the grounds offering a lift to the local train station for £2.50 per person... and more importantly, no ridiculously late finishes," said Stuart Fraser, a tennis correspondent, while replying to a fan.
Not Paris’s finest few days in terms of hosting sporting events. Bear in mind that Wimbledon have a rank of taxis directly outside the grounds offering a lift to the local train station for £2.50 per person... and more importantly, no ridiculously late finishes. twitter.com/ayceeeh/status…
tennis is littered with bad schedules but the French Open’s night ‘session’ is up there with the worst.
*one* match from 9pm is worst of both worlds: men’s matches finish too late, women’s matches get ignored for fear of shortchanging fans with BO3.
rip it up and start again twitter.com/quentinmoynet/…
It is officially too cold for tennis. This is one of the greatest rivalries ever and there are empty seats and people starting to struggle to get into the match.
If you can't get up for this, the concept doesn't work. Time for a rethink.
#RolandGarros
What a match! @DjokerNole @RafaelNadal. People freezing in the stands. This night match should be a 7.30pm start the latest. @rolandgarros Or better.. get rid of it. @atptour @WTA," Stan Wawrinka's coach Daniel Vallverdu tweeted.
What a match! @DjokerNole @RafaelNadal
People freezing in the stands.
This night match should be a 7.30pm start the latest. @rolandgarros
Or better.. get rid of it. @atptour @WTA
Despite the criticism, Amelie Mauresmo, the French Open tournament director, did not concede to removing the late night slots altogether.
"That's actually a key issue that needs to be settled, and that will be one of our priorities in the future. We haven't planned anything yet, but obviously we need to organize ourselves differently with the Department of Transport of Paris with bus systems, with the underground system," said Mauresmo in a press conference.
Night sessions at Roland Garros: just say “non”
Probably at Roland Garros more than at any other slam, the difference between day and night sessions is huge. Clay is a “living surface” and it’s almost a different tournament when it’s played so late. But I understand the need for media/RG to get a night session unfortunately 🤷♂️
Hearing @WTA players were initially upset that most night sessions featured men....after they saw how it played out? "Nah, we're good."....Playing at night here risk > reward...
Both Djokovic and Nadal think the night sessions should start earlier than 845 pm (or later).
Great idea. Let's start them at around 5 pm and call them day sessions instead!
a rare pic of the nadal and djokovic night session at the 2022 roland garros https://t.co/KrGMzqxc6M
I know everybody is excited about Rafa/Novak but virtually every night session on Chatrier so far this year was a blowout.
Tsitsipas/Musetti the only match that went past three sets and it was still a one-way traffic in sets 3-5.
Night matches just don't work at Roland Garros.
"I don't like to play on clay during the night" - Rafael Nadal on French Open night sessions
Speaking at a press conference, 13-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal said that he doesn't like playing at night on clay because of the match conditions.
"I don't like to play on clay during the night because the humidity is higher, the ball is slower, and there can be very heavy conditions, especially when it's cold," said Nadal.
Though World No. 1 Novak Djokovic agreed that matches are starting too late, he also said he understood the reasons behind the scheduling.
"There are differences of opinion about the night sessions. I think they are starting too late, to be honest. But again, TV decides. That’s the world we are living in," Djokovic said.