A lot of fans were shocked when the match between two four-time Grand Slam champions, Swiatek and Osaka, wasn’t given the prime slot – the night schedule on Day 4. The two women put on a stellar show with a high-quality three-setter which lasted for two hours and 57 minutes and ended up going the Pole’s way.
After her win against Camila Osorio, Ons Jabeur was asked how she found the treatment of women at the French Open, during her post-match press conference.
Jabeur explained that though Amelie Mauresmo, tournament director, was doing a great job, she was still seeing more men’s matches being televised than women’s. Though she admitted that this won’t change in a day, the Tunisian wanted to see Naomi Osaka and Swiatek’s match to headline the night session and said that she wanted to keep pushing for women’s tennis.
“I’m going to get in trouble again, aren’t I (smiling)? Listen, I know they’re trying here. I wish they’d try more. It’s not something we’ll change in a day. I’m watching TV every day. A lot of men matches more than women, and is the truth. I mean, I’m not gonna lie about it.
I think Amelie is doing an amazing job and is trying to change that, but these things, they take time. I wish I can see the change more. Obviously I wish I can see more, like I wish I saw Osaka and Iga’s match today as a night session. But it’s a choice. I understand that. Maybe the prime time is now. I don’t know.
Again, I will keep pushing for that, and I wish really to see promoting more women’s sport in general and women’s tennis in general.”
However, when Naomi Osaka was told about this, she said that she wasn’t familiar with the scheduling but thought that the time she played was the prime time since Rafael Nadal usually competed during the same. The Japanese then said that she wasn’t bothered much with the scheduling as she was there for the ‘vibes.’
“Umm… I’m not really too familiar with the scheduling here. Like, I don’t know if the night match is a prime time match but Nadal usually plays during this time so I kind of figured that this was the prime time. So, umm… I, I don’t know, I’m just here for the vibes, so, yeah,” Osaka said.
“I thought the crowd was really cool. These are the moments for what I work for” – Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka was asked about Iga Swaitek’s comments from her on-court interview, where the latter requested the crowd to be quieter during the rallies as it affected the players, and a few points here and there could affect the outcomes of the matches drastically.
The Japanese said that she didn’t mind the crowd, but on the contrary, thought that they were cool. She said that these were the moments she played for and also quipped that she was used to the New York crowd insinuating that they were louder.
“I thought the crowd was really cool. These are the moments for what I work for. I didn’t have a problem with the crowd at all. But I’m used to the New York crowd,” Naomi Osaka said.
Naomi Osaka’s run at clay came to an end after the thrilling match. The Japanese will now focus on the upcoming grass and hardcourt swings.
