The topic of night sessions on Court Philippe Chatrier at the French Open continues to cause controversy.
Fans have been entertained throughout the opening week of the 2025 French Open, watching players on the ATP and WTA Tour battle it out for glory in Paris.
What fans are yet to see, however, is a women’s match headline the night session on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Novak Djokovic’s third-round clash with Filip Misolic on Saturday will be the seventh straight men’s headliner in Chatrier’s night session.
Several players and pundits have shared their thoughts on the decisions made by the French Open recently, as former world number four Tim Henman now provides a simple solution to the problem.
Tim Henman suggests the French Open start the night sessions earlier and add a second match
Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of the sixth-straight ATP night session match on Chatrier between Carlos Alcaraz and Damir Dzumhur, Henman shared his thoughts on the controversy.
“Look, the initial issue is around the night session. The night session, when it was brought in, was about generating more revenue, whether that’s through television rights or ticket sales,” he said.
“That’s fine, and I get that, I accept that most events would want to do that; however, one match in the night session, I don’t believe it works; therefore, you are not providing an equal platform for the women to be playing.”
Henman then provided a simple solution to the problem, which would surely satisfy everyone.
“The way you would do that is by having a night session where you have two matches, which is what happens in New York and Australia, but you can’t have a night session that starts at 8.20, you have to start it earlier,” he said.
The former Wimbledon semi-finalist thinks the French Open is currently sending a dangerous message to WTA Tour players with what they’ve been doing recently.
“For me, the French Tennis Federation, if they continue down this path of always putting men’s matches on, they are creating a very difficult situation for themselves,” said Henman.
Philippe Chatrier night session matches at the 2025 French Open
- Day 1 – Ben Shelton beat Lorenzo Sonego
- Day 2 – Jannik Sinner beat Arthur Rinderknech
- Day 3 – Gael Monfils beat Hugo Dellien
- Day 4 – Holger Rune beat Emilio Nava
- Day 5 – Jack Draper beat Gael Monfils
- Day 6 – Carlos Alcaraz v Damir Dzumhur
- Day 7 – Novak Djokovic v Filip Misolic
“I think there is a distinct message that this is the prime time match, in the evening, and if you keep saying that it’s just going to be men’s matches playing, I think you definitely are sending a message.
“If they want to rectify it, they should go to two matches and start earlier.”
Boris Becker and Darren Cahill react to Ons Jabeur’s letter responding to night session controversy
Two-time Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur spoke openly about her disappointment over the scheduling at the French Open following her first-round exit to Magdalena Frech.
Expressing her thoughts on X, the Tunisian star shared her issues with the male-dominated night sessions.
“No one is denying the greatness in men’s tennis. The fierce battles, the legacies, the magic under pressure,” she said.
“But honouring one side of the sport shouldn’t mean ignoring the other. The women’s game has been writing its own legacy loudly, brilliantly, and for far too long, without recognition.
“With respect, a player who chooses this racket out of passion and honours every woman fighting for her place on the court.”
Jabeur’s comments were widely well-received, as Jannik Sinner’s coach Darren Cahill applauded her for taking a stand.
“Well said, Ons [Jabeur],” he said.
“The FFT [French Tennis Federation] can start by scheduling some women’s matches in the night session in Chatrier.
“Growth forms from the bottom upwards. Respect breeds from the top downward.”
Agreeing with Cahill’s comments, former world number one Boris Becker provided his trademark response.
“Word,” he said.
It remains to be seen if the French Open will respond to the criticism by scheduling a women’s match for the night session on Chatrier, but they certainly have a good opportunity to do so on Sunday.
All three confirmed fourth-round ties would no doubt have fans off their feet should they get the nod to play on Chatrier.
- Iga Swiatek v Elena Rybakina
- Aryna Sabalenka v Amanda Anisimova
- Qinwen Zheng v Liudmila Samsanova
A battle between the three-time defending champion and a former Wimbledon winner in their ninth career meeting, with the head-to-head locked at 4-4.
Or, a determined world number one looking to win her first Roland Garros title taking on a 2025 WTA 1000 champion.
If neither of those don’t suit your fancy, what about the Olympic Gold medalist who won the biggest match of her career on Chatrier last year, facing off against a Russian star searching for a maiden Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance.
One thing is for certain: the French Open can’t say they don’t have some quality women’s matches to choose from.
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