Last year, tennis star Jessica Pegula expressed her frustration about the lack of visibility for women’s matches, saying it felt like “hitting her head against the wall.” Meanwhile, Ons Jabeur raised a thought-provoking question: “Do decision-makers have daughters?” This highlights the growing conversation around women’s representation in sports, particularly at prestigious events like the French Open.
Since 2023, there has been increasing pressure on the French Open to promote its women’s game more effectively. Recently, WTA chief executive Valerie Camillo had a discussion with Amelie Mauresmo, the tournament director and former world number one, about this issue. Camillo emphasized that women’s tennis has been delivering some of the most thrilling matches in sports lately and deserves more recognition.
Mauresmo, however, cited concerns about women’s matches finishing too quickly as a reason for the current scheduling decisions. This perspective has drawn mixed reactions from fans and players alike. Some believe that focusing on quality play, rather than match duration, would better serve the sport.
As for ticket pricing, fans can expect to pay between €60 and €280 (£50 to £240) for night session matches during the 2026 tournament. In contrast to other major tournaments like the Australian Open and US Open, Mauresmo has ruled out extending night sessions to two matches, fearing it could lead to late finishes.
According to a recent report by the Women’s Tennis Association, almost 50% of tennis fans think women’s matches should receive equal billing in tournaments. This growing sentiment indicates a shift towards greater equality in sports.
With this evolving landscape, it’s clear that the conversation around women’s tennis is far from over. As fans call for change, the sport may well see a more balanced representation in the near future.
For more insights on women in sports, you can check the WTA’s official report.
