French Open inequality row breaks out as Jannik Sinner decision causes | Tennis | Sport
Former Swedish tennis star Mats Wilander has questioned where the ‘equality’ is at the French Open, after Jannik Sinner became the first male player to be first on at Court Philippe Chatrier in three years with the suggestion that an early match up would see him avoid the worst conditions at a sweltering Roland Garros on Thursday.
Male stars such as Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have almost exclusively been selected for ‘prime time’ night sessions in recent years. Since they were introduced at Roland Garros, just four of the 50 matches have been women’s. There were none in 2024 or 2025, and the most recent match was between Aryna Sabalenka and Sloane Stephens back in 2023.
The extreme heat at Roland Garros makes it difficult for players, as Sinner found out this afternoon when he lost to Juan Manuel Cerundolo.
Speaking on TNT Sports’ Roland-Garros coverage, former British number one Laura Robson said: “(It’s the) first time in three years that there’s been a men’s match first on Chatrier but when you’re the top seed, you put the request in and more often than not the tournament listens.
“What do you think of that, Mats? I would maybe say it’s his right to put the request in.”
Mats Wilander replied: “Absolutely you can put the request in if you are No. 1 in the world and it’s not as hot at noon when you start as it is at 3, 4, 5 o’clock for sure.
“But the fact that there hasn’t been a men’s match first in three years, what is that about? That doesn’t make sense at all. Where’s the equality in that? It doesn’t make any sense to me.”
Robson replied: “Thanks Mats.” Willander said: “You are welcome ladies.”
“That’s gone down a whole different rabbit hole, we could spend all day just on scheduling issues, not just at this tournament but every tournament, there is always something we feel could be improved perhaps,” Robson added.
It was a decision Sinner may regret after the Italian was dumped out of the tournament despite being the overwhelming favourite to win the title. He was defeated by Cerundolo on day five at Roland Garros. The world number one was 5-1 up in the third set when he complained about feeling dizzy and left the court for medical treatment.
Argentinian fought from two sets down, to win the last three sets 7-5, 6-1, 6-1. It means this will be the first Slam final without Sinner or Alcaraz since the US Open 2023 where Novak Djokovic defeated Daniil Medvedev.
It is Sinner’s earliest Grand Slam exit since losing in Round Two at Roland Garros in 2023 to Daniel Altmaier. The defeat also ends a 30-match winning streak for the Italian, who last tasted defeat back in February to Jakub Mensik in Doha.
