“More appeal for the mens” — French Open director defends scheduling

Published

4 years ago

June 2, 2022

The second grand slam for the season has raised eyebrows for featuring just one women’s night match

Director Amelie Mauresmo has defended the scheduling at this years French Open saying women’s tennis has less “appeal” than mens.

Women have filled one of the 10 available primetime night slots at the current edition of Roland-Garros.

Mauresmo, a former world number one, is overseeing her first tournament after being appointed to the role of director last year.

Night slots are generally reserved for the biggest matches, as earlier in the week when men’s heavyweights Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic contested the evening session.

Mauresmo says it has been difficult to find a top billing women’s match.

“In this era that we are in, I don’t feel bad or unfair – as a woman and former women’s player – saying that right now you have more appeal [in] general, for the men’s matches.”
TOURNAMENT Director Amelie Mauresmo

“The fact that it’s right now a one-match night session is tough on this. It is tough.”

“But yes, I admit it was tough. It was tough for more than one night to find, as you say, the match of the day,” she says.

Swiatek responds to tournament director Amelie Mauresmo's comments on the scheduling.

She wants her tennis to be entertaining. Iga, it is! Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise. pic.twitter.com/UxSdc5Mkhr
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) June 1, 2022

Women’s world number one Iga Swiatek says Mauresmo’s comments are “disappointing and surprising” after her quarterfinal victory over American Jessica Pegula.

The match took place in the afternoon despite featuring two highly ranked players. Pegula currently sits just outside the women’s top 10.

Instead, mens number eight Casper Ruud and the unseeded Holger Rune filled the evening slot.

Bryan Hoadley contributed to this report

Ukraine and Russia set for U.S.-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi

Published

3 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that new peace talks with Russia will take place in Abu Dhabi later this week. The discussions are part of U.S.-led efforts to find a path toward ending the ongoing war.

Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine is prepared for meaningful dialogue aimed at achieving peace. The announcement comes after weeks of uncertainty over the timing of the meeting.

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff described prior discussions with Russian officials as productive, though major disagreements over territorial issues remain unresolved.

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News

Tensions rise as Iran threatens conflict and U.S. increases naval forces

Iran warns of regional conflict, labels European armies terrorists; U.S. boosts naval presence as both sides consider negotiations.

Published

4 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Iran warns of regional conflict, labels European armies terrorists; U.S. boosts naval presence as both sides consider negotiations.

Iran has warned of a potential regional conflict if the U.S. launches an attack, while labelling European armies as terrorists. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei insisted that threats from President Trump will not intimidate the Iranian people.

The U.S. has ramped up its naval presence in the Middle East in response to mounting threats, amid speculation over Iran’s next moves. Iranian officials have denied claims of imminent naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, adding to global uncertainty.

#MiddleEastCrisis #IranUS #Geopolitics #NavalTensions #Trump #AyatollahKhamenei #EuropeanUnion #GlobalConflict

News

Carlos Alcaraz becomes youngest man to complete career Grand Slam

Carlos Alcaraz, at 22, stuns tennis by winning the Australian Open, defeating Djokovic, and celebrating with a kangaroo tattoo.

Published

4 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Carlos Alcaraz, at 22, stuns tennis by winning the Australian Open, defeating Djokovic, and celebrating with a kangaroo tattoo.

Carlos Alcaraz has stunned the tennis world by winning the Australian Open, becoming the youngest man to complete a Career Grand Slam at just 22 years old.

The world number one beat Novak Djokovic in a thrilling four-set match, finishing 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5. Djokovic missed out on claiming his 25th Grand Slam title. To mark the milestone, Alcaraz revealed he plans to add a new tattoo of a kangaroo on his leg, joining his existing Eiffel Tower and Wimbledon strawberry tattoos.

#CarlosAlcaraz #AustralianOpen #GrandSlam #TennisHistory #NovakDjokovic #SportsNews #TennisTattoo #YoungChampion