‘A Glaring Weakness’- Chris Evert Questions Amelie Mauresmo’s Bizarre Move to Have Less French Open Women’s Matches at Night

In the recently concluded French Open, we saw Rafael Nadal clinch his 14th Roland Garros title. And in the women’s draw, Iga Swiatek claimed victory over Coco Gauff to win her second French Open title. Many thought the tournament director, Amelie Mauresmo, did extremely well to organize the tournament, including former American tennis superstar Chris Evert. 

Although Evert praised the former French tennis player, she did criticize her for scheduling the majority of the men’s game for the night session.

Chris Evert criticizes Amelie Mauresmo for not showing diversity in scheduling matches

Evert said, “I think one big mistake was the night match. It was all men. I think there’s one women’s match, it was all men. That’s not right. We have equal prize money, we should have equal time. I wish that she would have gone to the rubric of the US Open and looked 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.”

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Notably, Mauresmo scheduled the night matches for the first time at this year’s French Open to attract more audiences. However, she scheduled only one night’s match from the women’s draw. Speaking about it, she said earlier, “I don’t feel bad or unfair saying that, right now you have more… appeal… That’s the general (reasons) for the men’s matches.”

However, after this statement, many current players criticized her. Later, the tournament director apologized for the same. 

Iga Swiatek surprised by Mauresmo’s comments

2-time Roland Garros champion, Iga Swiatek, earlier talked about the night matches. Surprisingly, she had no idea about the fewer matches being scheduled for women during the night sessions. Although she said she preferred playing at the normal time, she also said she would be fine playing at night. However, she did find Mauresmo’s comments surprising. 

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“Oh, it is a little bit disappointing and surprising because she was also in the WTA,” Swiatek said. 

Meanwhile, Swiatek won the French Open tournament in dominating fashion despite not playing many night matches.