"Roland Garros doesn’t care about women’s tennis" - Tennis fans unhappy with French Open organizers for not scheduling 1R clash between Osaka and Anisimova on Philippe-Chatrier
Fans have lambasted Roland Garros organizers for not scheduling the blockbuster first-round clash between Naomi Osaka and Amanda Anisimova on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Osaka-Anisimova is one of the most anticipated first-round clashes at Roland Garros this year. While Osaka is a four-time Grand Slam champion, Anisimova is regarded as one of the brightest talents in women's tennis at the moment.
However, the clash will take place on Court Suzanne-Lenglen and not on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Fans were unhappy with the scheduling, remarking that such an exciting clash happening on a Monday morning (11 AM local time) on a secondary court made no sense.
"Naomi Osaka vs. Amanda Anisimova was the draw of the first round. 11am on Monday, not on the main court. Come on now," commentator David Law lamented.
Naomi Osaka vs. Amanda Anisimova was the draw of the first round.
11am on Monday, not on the main court.
Come on now.
@DavidLawTennis The court placement is fine. I agree with you on the time. I think the court placement issue is way overtalked by tennis nerds. Far more important is what gets shown on TV. Most of us are not there.
Men and Women slams should be held separately so this problem ends forever. twitter.com/DavidLawTennis…
"That’s what I’m talking about. Roland Garros doesn’t care about women’s tennis. F**k this," another fan tweeted.
That’s what I’m talking about. #RolandGarros doesn’t care about women’s tennis. Fuck this. twitter.com/davidlawtennis…
Recent semifinalist against the most commercially valuable woman on tour… 🤦♂️ twitter.com/DavidLawTennis…
However, other fans pointed out that the reason could be to cater to Japanese viewers. The 11 AM schedule in Paris means the match will begin at 6 PM in Japan, so broadcasters might have requested that slot to maximise prime time viewing in Osaka's home country.
"I’m reminded that 11am in Europe is 6pm in Japan, and Osaka’s home broadcaster would have requested it. Fair enough. On this one," Law later conceded.
I’m reminded that 11am in Europe is 6pm in Japan, and Osaka’s home broadcaster would have requested it. Fair enough. On this one.
Bizarre scheduling for the first Monday of the #FrenchOpen, where Amanda Anisimova vs Naomi Osaka, arguably the pick of the entire tournament's first round, will start at 11am on the #RolandGarros' second biggest court.
Probably a better point that she will be on at primetime in Japan by playing at 11am.
Furthermore, at the same time as the Osaka-Anisimova clash, Court Philippe-Chatrier will host World No. 1 Iga Swiatek and Lesia Tsurenko. Women's defending champion Barbora Krejcikova will then take on Frenchwoman Diane Parry, followed by 13-time winner Rafael Nadal against Jordan Thompson.
The night session slot will be taken up by the meeting between men's defending champion Novak Djokovic and Yoshihito Nishioka.
Certain fans on Twitter pointed out how all those matches were more important than the one between Osaka and Anisimova.
"Surprised at first not to see Osaka vs Anisimova on the main Chatrier Court on Monday, but No. 1 Swiatek and defending champ Krejcikova get center-court spots, which seems on target. Nadal rounds out the day session with Djokovic at night," tennis writer Christopher Clarey wrote.
Surprised at first not to see Osaka vs Anisimova on the main Chatrier Court on Monday but No. 1 Swiatek and defending champ Krejcikova get center-court spots, which seems on target. Nadal rounds out the day session with Djokovic at night.
rolandgarros.com/en-us/order-of… https://t.co/Ud72N7045U
@DavidLawTennis World No 1 on an amazing win streak first up on Chatrier.
Defending champion vs a French player second.
Nadal and Djokovic to follow.
Don't see much wrong with that.
@DavidLawTennis I mean It’s absolutly ok. They put defending champion and world number 1 on the center. Where is the problem?
Naomi Osaka's most recent Grand Slam loss came against Amanda Anisimova
Naomi Osaka and Amanda Anisimova have met only once on the WTA tour before -- at the Australian Open earlier this year. In their third-round clash, the American stunned the former World No. 1 in an epic three-setter, prevailing 7-6 (10-5) in the third.
BREAKING
Defending champion Naomi Osaka is OUT of the Australian Open after being stunned by world No 60 Amanda Anisimova 4-6 6-3 7-6 (10-5)
#AusOpen https://t.co/L6sQPnJbs0
This time around, Anisimova comes in as the slight favourite because of her current run of form and Osaka's relative lack of match practice. The winner of the match will face either Donna Vekic or Mirjam Bjorklund in the second round.
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