# Coco Gauff and Ons Jabeur Lead Charge for Gender Equality at 2025 French Open
The 2025 French Open has ignited a firestorm of debate over gender equality in tennis, with Coco Gauff and Ons Jabeur at the forefront of a movement demanding fair scheduling for women’s matches. The controversy stems from the tournament’s persistent sidelining of women’s singles from the prime-time 8:15 p.m. slot on Court Philippe-Chatrier, a practice that has drawn sharp criticism from players and fans alike. Since night sessions began at Roland Garros in 2021, only two of 34 matches have featured women’s singles, with none scheduled in 2024 or 2025 so far. This glaring disparity has prompted top stars like Gauff, Jabeur, and Iga Świątek to call for a seismic shift in how the French Open showcases women’s tennis.
Ons Jabeur, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, set the tone after her first-round defeat to Magdalena Fręch (7-6(4), 6-0) on May 26, 2025. In a candid press conference, the Tunisian star didn’t hold back, saying, “It’s still sad that we are still seeing this. I hope whoever is making the decision, I don’t think they have daughters, because I don’t think they want to treat their daughters like this.” Jabeur escalated her advocacy with a powerful social media letter, challenging the narrative that women’s tennis lacks appeal. “A lot of amazing athletes have been told the same things over and over. That no one watches. That no one cares. That women’s sport doesn’t ‘move people,’” she wrote. Highlighting the brilliance of players like Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Świątek, and Paula Badosa, Jabeur argued that honoring one side of the sport shouldn’t mean ignoring the other.
Coco Gauff, the No. 2 seed and a 2022 French Open finalist, amplified Jabeur’s message after her second-round win over Tereza Valentova (6-2, 6-4) on May 28, 2025. The 21-year-old American emphasized the need for women’s matches in prime-time slots, drawing on her experiences at other majors. “From my experience playing at U.S. Open, night match at 7 p.m., with Novak [Djokovic] following me, and he’s the greatest player of all time, people were almost just as excited to see me play as him,” Gauff said. She argued that women’s tennis, with its high-quality matches and charismatic stars, deserves equal visibility. Gauff also pointed out the practical challenges of scheduling women’s matches after men’s best-of-five-set contests, which can push start times to 11 p.m. or later. “I don’t think any girl, prove me wrong, but I don’t think anyone wants to play after the 8:15 match,” she said, proposing earlier slots like 6:30 or 7:00 p.m. to prioritize player welfare and fan engagement.
The criticism has put French Open organizers under scrutiny. French Tennis Federation president Gilles Moretton defended the scheduling, claiming it prioritizes what’s “better for spectators,” but players like Jabeur and Gauff have dismantled this argument by highlighting the undeniable draw of women’s tennis. Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo, a former women’s champion, stated that no players had directly raised concerns with her, but the public outcry from top stars suggests otherwise. Iga Świątek, a three-time French Open winner, along with players like Jessica Pegula and Danielle Collins, have joined the chorus, amplifying the demand for change.
Jabeur’s letter praised the unique strengths of her peers, from Gauff’s “fearless belief” to Sabalenka’s “unmatched power,” underscoring the diversity and excitement women’s tennis brings. The sport’s female stars are not just competing for titles but for respect and visibility, challenging outdated assumptions about their marketability. Gauff, who faces Marie Bouzková in the third round, remains a vocal advocate, balancing her on-court campaign with a push for systemic change.
As the 2025 French Open unfolds, the pressure is mounting on Roland Garros to address these inequities. The tournament’s scheduling practices have become a lightning rod for broader discussions about gender equality in sports, with Gauff and Jabeur leading a movement that could reshape how women’s tennis is presented. Their advocacy is a reminder that the fight for fairness extends beyond the baseline, and the tennis world is watching to see if Roland Garros will rise to the challenge. For now, Gauff and Jabeur have ignited a vital conversation, ensuring that the brilliance of women’s tennis gets the spotlight it deserves.
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