SWERVE & VOLLEY

Swiatek blasts Mauresmo as sexism row rages after women’s games are overlooked for prime-time TV slots

IGA SWIATEK hit back at Amelie Mauresmo for claiming men’s tennis has more “appeal” as a sexism row rocked the French Open.

Rafa Nadal’s epic latenight win over Novak Djokovic had already caused controversy after finishing at 1.16am local time. Then tournament director Mauresmo (right), Andy Murray’s ex-coach, tried to defend why only one of the 10 new night sessions this year had featured women players. The former Wimbledon and Australian Open champion said: “As a former player, I don’t feel bad or unfair saying right now you have more attraction, more appeal, in general, for the men’s matches.

“It was tough for more than one night to find the match of the day in the women’s draw.” New floodlights on Court Philippe-Chatrier have meant night sessions, with singles matches starting at 8.45pm shown on Amazon Prime.

The only women’s match to be shown in the prime-time slot was the second-round clash between local favourite Alize Cornet and former champion Jelena Ostapenka.

Responding to Mauresmo, Poland’s world No.1 Swiatek, who won her 33rd consecutive match yesterday to reach the semi-finals by beating Jessica Pegula 6-3 6-2, said:

“It is a little bit disappointing and surprising as she was also in the WTA. “I think it’s the personal opinion of every person if they like men’s or women’s tennis more or if they like them equally.

“But I think women’s tennis has a lot of advantages. It’s unpredictable and girls are not consistent. It may also be something that is really appealing and it may really attract more people.”

Nadal and Djokovic agreed their quarter-final clash, won by the Spaniard in four long sets, had started too late. Thousands of fans were stranded outside after the match with the Paris metro closed.

“I understand television pays a lot of money to have matches that late, then the tournament makes money then the players make money,” said Nadal. “But we need to find a balance.”

Mauresmo added: “The night sessions will stay, but obviously we are going to see whether we move the starting time or not.”

Nadal will meet world No.3 Alex Zverev in the semi-final tomorrow as he seeks a 14th French Open and 22nd Grand Slam title. But the 36-year-old, who suffers from a chronic foot injury, again hinted this could be his final Paris appearance.

He added: “I am putting everything I have for this tournament. I don’t know what can happen after it, honestly, but here I think I’ll be fine.

“I am old enough not to hide things or come here and say a thing I don’t believe.”