Seoul Gazette - Sabalenka v Osaka first women's French Open night match since 2023

Tournament organisers have been subject to repeated criticism from some women's players and fans for scheduling 30 successive men's matches in the primetime night slot since Sabalenka played Sloane Stephens in the last 16 on June 4, 2023.

But two of the sport's biggest stars will end that run on Court Philippe Chatrier in the fourth round.

"I'm so used to not playing night matches here and playing night matches in, like, US Open or something like that that I don't even associate this tournament with night matches," Osaka said after her third-round win over Iva Jovic.

Sabalenka has previously criticised the lack of women's matches under the lights, saying last year that the WTA stars "deserve equal treatment" to the men.

"I definitely agree that we deserve to be put on a bigger stage, better timing, more people watching," she said.

Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo, a former women's world number one, has previously insisted that the preference for men's matches has only ever been to avoid a shorter session.

Tickets for Monday's night session retail for between 85 euros ($99) and 210 euros ($245).

"The message has never been that the girls are not worthy to play at night," said Mauresmo last year.

"I'm talking, and we are talking about potential match lengths. Since men's tennis is played at the best-of-five sets, three sets will be played at a minimum."

Mauresmo has also in the past ruled out extending the night session to two matches to avoid finishes well into the early hours of the morning.

Sabalenka and Osaka are two of three Grand Slam champions remaining in the Roland Garros draw, alongside Madison Keys.

The men's event is already guaranteed to produce a new major champion.

B.Ha--SG