‘Blunt’ Iga Swiatek Makes Brutally Honest Admission About Female Players Not Getting Night Session Slots at French Open

Every year we talk about it. My position didn’t change. I like playing day. So I’m happy I’m done and can have a longer rest. On the other hand, people just try to look for, like, not even things between men and women. You can find that in the schedule a bit, and you can ask us all the time. Honestly, my answers are not gonna change. I don’t mind.

Iga Swiatek said in her Roland Garros press conference.

Swiatek and Alcaraz were two of the high-profile players of Day 2. When asked about being an advocate of women’s scheduling given the same privileges as men’s scheduling, Swiatek had a simple answer.

I understand. But I’m not making the schedule.

Iga Swiatek added

The difference in opinion between men’s and women’s scheduling is not something out of the blue. In fact, Swiatek’s next opponent, Emma Raducanu has also shared the same perspective. Last year, Ons Jabeur hit out at the scheduling, terming it ‘unfair’.

Swiatek comes to this year’s Roland Garros under a cloud. Although she is a defending champion, she has not won a WTA title since lifting her fourth Paris crown 12 months ago. In fact, she has not even reached a WTA Final since.

Iga Swiatek makes huge opening-round Grand Slam record

Polish star Iga Swiatek extended her winning streak at the French Open to 22 matches with a straightforward first-round win over Rebecca Sramkova. The world No. 5 faced some early resistance but recovered from a second-set deficit to post a 6-3, 6-3 victory and begin her campaign for a fourth straight Roland Garros crown.

Though she has not won a title since claiming the French Open a year ago, the 23-year-old looked solid and composed in her opening match. This appearance marked Swiatek’s 25th time in the main draw of a Grand Slam, and she has now advanced past the first round in 24 of them.

Swiatek’s only first-round Grand Slam loss came at Wimbledon 2019. Her 24-1 record in opening-round matches places her among the most consistent starters in major tournament history. Only five women in the Open Era have started their Grand Slam careers with better records.

Tennis greats like Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, and Serena Williams also posted near-perfect records early in their Slam journeys. Notably, Williams held a flawless 46-0 record in round-one matches before her shock 2012 French Open loss, ultimately ending her career with a 78-3 first-round record.

Emma Raducanu gets huge boost before Iga Swiatek clash

Emma Raducanu secured her second career win at the French Open with a hard-fought victory over Wang Xinyu. The 22-year-old battled for nearly three hours to earn a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 result on Day 2 at Roland Garros. Both players made a strong start, exchanging early breaks, with Raducanu initially failing to serve out the first set before recovering to take it after a medical timeout.

In the second set, Raducanu’s form dipped, and she quickly fell behind 5-1. Despite signs of physical discomfort, she kept fighting. Wang was unable to close out the set on her first two attempts but finally did so on her third try to level the match.

Raducanu regained composure in the third set, holding her nerve to seal the win. The result is crucial for her rankings, as she entered the tournament without points to defend. Her victory provisionally boosts her to 1,389 points, moving her to No. 37 in the WTA Live Rankings.

This rise puts her close to reentering the top 40, a mark she hasn’t reached since 2022. However, maintaining that position won’t be easy. Raducanu’s next challenge is a tough one — a second-round clash against three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek.