French Open 2026: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Naomi Osaka will be the first women’s night match at the event since 2023

Last year, American Jessica Pegula, ranked fifth in the world, said she felt like she was “hitting her head against the wall” because of this issue, while Ons Jabeur, a two-time Wimbledon finalist, wondered whether the people making the decision “have daughters.”

Since 2023, questions have been raised about whether the French Open should do more to showcase the women’s game.

The lack of action prompted recently appointed WTA chief executive Valerie Camilo to seek answers from French Open director Amelie Mauresmo – a former women’s world number one – when they met at Roland Garros this week.

In what the WTA described as an open and productive conversation, Camilo stressed her belief that women’s players have provided some of the “most exciting and dynamic competition in global sport” in recent months and years.

Mauresmo has consistently argued that the risk of women’s matches going “too quickly” was the rationale behind the selections.

Tickets for night matches during the 2026 tournament range from €60 to €280 (£50 to £240).

Mauresmo insisted the night sessions would not span two matches – like the Australian Open and US Open – for fear of the matches ending late.