Amelie Mauresmo, the director of the French Open, recently addressed concerns regarding the Grand Slam tournament, including allegations of sexism and controversies involving top players such as Novak Djokovic.
One of the primary issues that Mauresmo addressed was the claim that the tournament’s scheduling is sexist for favoring men over women in the night sessions. She defended the decision to prioritize the best players in the evening matches and explained that the constraints of scheduling and the need to guarantee the duration of the matches are important considerations in these choices.
Concerns were also raised about the length of the matches and the potential for late finish times if two matches were scheduled back-to-back. This was in response to the proposal of Andy Murray’s former coach to include two women’s matches in the night session. Mauresmo explained that this option could lead to logistical challenges, especially given the culture of Paris.
Regarding the controversy surrounding Novak Djokovic’s match with Lorenzo Musetti, which ended at 3.08am, Mauresmo expressed her disappointment at the situation but explained that match scheduling and duration are crucial factors in making these decisions. She also clarified that there was no external pressure from Amazon Prime to show only men’s matches during the night sessions.
In addition to addressing issues related to match scheduling, Mauresmo also responded to criticisms about the playing conditions. When Djokovic blamed the slippery court for aggravating his knee injury, which ultimately required surgery, Mauresmo clarified that the decision to sweep the court is based on a combination of player requests, umpire decisions, and input from Grand Slam supervisors.
Lastly, Mauresmo acknowledged the problem of empty seats in the stadium during certain matches but refuted the idea that the alcohol ban was a contributing factor. She emphasized that the issue of match attendance is multifaceted and cannot be attributed solely to the absence of alcohol sales.
Ultimately, Amelie Mauresmo’s responses shed light on the complexities involved in tournament management and the need to balance various factors, including player preferences, logistical constraints, and spectator experiences. The insights from the French Open boss provide valuable context for understanding the decision-making process behind the tournament’s operations and scheduling.