Why Have Women Been Overlooked for French Open Night Matches? Aryna Sabalenka vs Naomi Osaka Reopens Roland Garros Scheduling Debate

For years, one question has followed the French Open: why are women's matches almost never scheduled for the tournament's marquee night session?

That debate has returned to the spotlight at Roland Garros 2026, even as world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka prepare to become the first women to play a night-session match at the French Open since 2023.

While the decision has been welcomed as progress, it has also highlighted a deeper issue that has frustrated players, fans and the WTA for several years.

What is the French Open night-session controversy?

The French Open introduced standalone night sessions on Court Philippe-Chatrier in 2021, creating a prime-time slot designed to showcase the tournament's biggest matches to audiences in France, Europe and North America.

However, since their introduction, women's matches have rarely featured.

Before Sabalenka and Osaka's fourth-round clash was scheduled under the lights, the previous women's night match at Roland Garros had been Aryna Sabalenka versus Sloane Stephens in June 2023.

Incredibly, that meant 30 consecutive men's matches had occupied the night-session slot over the past two seasons.

Since 2021, only four of the tournament's 60 night sessions have featured women's singles matches.

Why does the French Open prefer men's matches at night?

Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo has repeatedly defended the scheduling decisions.

Her main argument is that men's matches are played over five sets, while women's matches are best-of-three. Organisers believe spectators paying premium ticket prices for the evening session receive better value from a potentially longer match.

Mauresmo has previously argued that women's matches can finish too quickly, creating concerns about entertainment value for fans attending the session.

The French Open has also resisted calls to follow the Australian Open and US Open model of scheduling two matches during the evening session.

Organisers fear that adding a second match could lead to excessively late finishes for players and spectators.

Why are players unhappy?

Many of the biggest names in women's tennis have publicly criticised the scheduling imbalance.

Former Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur questioned whether decision-makers truly understood the impact of repeatedly overlooking the women's game.

World No. 3 Jessica Pegula admitted last year that trying to raise the issue felt like "hitting her head against a wall."

Even Sabalenka, who will finally get her chance under the lights this year, has previously argued that women's players deserve the same stage and visibility as their male counterparts.

Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka revealed that she had become so accustomed to the scheduling pattern that she no longer associated the French Open with night matches at all.

Has the French Open finally changed course?

The decision to schedule Sabalenka against Osaka in the night session is undoubtedly a significant breakthrough.

It follows growing pressure from players, fans and the WTA, whose new chief executive Valerie Camillo recently discussed the issue directly with tournament officials during Roland Garros.

The matchup itself is one of the biggest attractions of the tournament. It features the world No. 1 against a four-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, making it difficult to argue that it lacks star power or commercial appeal.

However, many believe one match alone does not solve the broader issue.

Is one women's night match enough?

Not really.

While Sabalenka versus Osaka represents an important symbolic step, critics argue true progress would involve women's matches regularly featuring in prime-time slots rather than appearing only on exceptional occasions.

The concern is that the French Open selected the easiest possible women's match to market rather than committing to long-term scheduling parity.

Women's tennis has never been stronger commercially, with growing audiences, major stars and increasing global visibility. Supporters argue that if women's matches are consistently given prime-time exposure, their popularity will continue to grow.

For now, Sabalenka and Osaka's night-session clash feels like a breakthrough moment.

Whether it marks the start of lasting change or simply a temporary exception remains the bigger question.