Pam Shriver calls out Roland Garros as Coco Gauff and Ajla Tomljanovic produce enthralling night session

Former world number one Pam Shriver has taken a dig at the French Open organisers about their stance of not having women’s matches at prime time in the evening. There was a lot of discussion about the issue surrounding the authorities' decision to have only men’s matches on the centre court at Roland Garros at night.

In 2022 and 2023, 90% of the matches played at night on the central court at the Roland Garros, also known as the Philippe Chatrier Court, featured men’s tennis players. In 2024, that number increased to 100 %. During the competition, French Tennis Federation President Gilles Moretton shared his perspective on determining the schedule.

“The schedule is one key point on the tournament,” said Moretton back then while talking to The Athletic. “Sometimes we have to think about what could be better for spectators. That’s why sometimes we have to make some choices. Sometimes we need to put, I mean, for the night session, we need to put the better match. Maybe we will have a few, I have no idea, a few female matches on the night sessions. We’ll see. Depends on the schedule, who is playing who, who will be the best match.”

Following those comments, several high-profile players shared their opinion about the development. World number one Aryna Sabalenka was the highest-profile player to speak out about the injustice women’s tennis faced once again. "I definitely think it would make more sense to move our match a little bit later," said Sabalenka during the competition. "I definitely have to say that we deserve equal treatment. There were a lot of great battles, a lot of great matches, which would be cool to see as the night session with more people in the stands watching these incredible battles. And just to show ourselves to more people. I definitely agree that we deserve to be put on a bigger stage, with better timing and more people watching."

Raising voice over unfair treatment

Three-time Grand Slam runner-up Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur also issued a lengthy statement, calling the organiser’s decision ‘sad’. “Same thoughts as I said last year,” said Jabeur. “It’s still sad that we are still seeing this. I keep standing by my words. In Europe, in general, it’s unfortunate for women’s sports in general. Not just for tennis, but in general. I hope whoever is making the decision. I don’t think they have daughters. I don’t think they wanna treat their daughters like this. It’s a bit ironic, you know. They don’t show women’s sport. They don’t show women’s tennis. Then they ask a question. Yeah, but mostly they watch men. Of course they watch men more, because you show men more. Everything goes together. It’s a shame from the federation. It’s a shame from prime TV that they made such a contract like this. A lot of great players deserve to be there. One of the matches was Naomi and Paula. Such an unbelievable match. They were supposed to be there. Iga and Naomi last year were supposed to be there. A lot of great matches that should’ve been there. Not sure what kind of fans he’s talking about. I know I’m a fan, I would watch that match.”

Now, former world number one Shivers had decided to take a dig at the French Open organisers about the same issue. In a post on social media platform X, Shivers reminded French Open organisers to have a look at the performances during the match between Coco Gauff and Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic. “Hey @rolandgarros do you see how women’s tennis can be an amazing night session? Just give it a chance over time and you will be enlightened. Gauff and Tomljanovic putting on an enthralling match,” she wrote. In that contest, the two-time Grand Slam winner Gauff eventually came out on top 6-4, 6-7, 7-5.