Sabalenka vs Osaka to Headline First Women's Night Session at French Open Since 2023

Aryna Sabalenka's fourth-round match against Naomi Osaka is scheduled for Monday at the French Open and will be the first women's match in the night-time slot since 2023. Each of the previous 32 primetime sessions had been allocated to men's matches. The one-match evening sessions on Court Philippe Chatrier were introduced in 2021.

Only four of the first 60 night slots on the same court had contained a women's match before this fixture. Sabalenka v Osaka will be the fifth women's match in a night slot on Court Philippe Chatrier. Sabalenka is the Belarusian top seed and has four Grand Slam titles.

On Saturday, Osaka said she did not "even associate" the French Open with night matches. The 28-year-old added she did not know if her match would be under consideration for the night session.

Last year, Jessica Pegula said she felt like she was "hitting her head against the wall" over the subject. " Since 2023, questions have been raised about whether the French Open should do more to showcase the women's game. WTA chief executive Valerie Camillo sought answers from French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo when they met at Roland Garros this week.

Camillo underlined her belief that women's players have delivered some of the "most exciting and dynamic competition in global sport" over recent months and years. Mauresmo has consistently argued that the danger of women's matches going "really fast" is the justification behind the night match choices. Night session tickets range from €60 to €280 (£50 to £240).

Mauresmo has insisted the night sessions will not be extended to two matches like the Australian Open and US Open due to fear of creating late finishes.