Iga Swiatek thinks women deserve to have as many French Open prime time matches as men because she believes the WTA Tour isn't lacking any excitement.
So far, there have been seven night sessions at this year's tournament in Paris. And all of them featured men's matches.
While the French Open organizers have been facing backlash for days now, they still continue with ATP matches in the night slot. On Saturday, Novak Djokovic took on Filip Misolic in prime time.
When asked earlier this week, Swiatek didn't really want to get too much into it. Instead, she gave a politically correct answer and said she preferred to play during the day.
But now, the former world No. 1 is changing her position a bit.
Swiatek: The number of ATP and WTA prime time matches should be equal
“Well, yeah, I think it should be equal. Personally, it’s not like I have big feelings about it because I just do my job and I adjust to the schedule I’m given. But I think it should be equal because women’s matches can be entertaining in the same way," the five-time Grand Slam winner said.
"As you could see today in my match, there were even waves and everything. So people like it. We can put on a nice show. That’s why I think it should be equal. That’s it."
Some media members have been pushing the narrative that the French Open is telling the women that "they are not worthy."
On Friday, French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo was directly told that and asked about that notion. She didn't appreciate it a bit, highlighting that she did not agree a bit with that claim.
However, unless the Roland Garros officials start placing women's matches in prime time, the criticism and backlash can only continue.
Meanwhile, Swiatek plays Elena Rybakina in a French Open round-of-16 showdown.
