Roland Garros tournament director Amelie Mauresmo commented on the fact that women`s matches are consistently not scheduled for the evening session on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Question: Returning to the decision on night sessions, what, in your view, are the consequences of the perception among women that they are not worthy of having their matches scheduled at this time?
Mauresmo: I did not say that. I must stop you right there.
Question: Okay. You didn`t say that, but that is the message they receive.
Mauresmo: The message?
Question: I think that`s the message many girls receive. Sometimes people shouldn`t think only about what they say, but about how it`s perceived. What, in your opinion, are the consequences of this message?
Mauresmo: For me, the message is what I have always said and will repeat… The circumstances haven`t changed since the introduction of the single evening match. For me, the message hasn`t changed. We never meant that women are unworthy of playing at night. That was never the case. I don`t want you to spread that message. I am not the only one making decisions, and we discuss the potential duration of the match. From that perspective, it`s difficult to judge, because two sets can go by very quickly, while [men`s matches] have a minimum of three sets. So [for women] it could be an hour and a half, two hours. For me, it`s about the duration of the matches. It`s not about how they play or their level, especially now. That`s not what I`m talking about. What would you do?
Question: Do you really want to know? I would solve the problem so that women don`t receive the message that you are not trying to send them.
Mauresmo: You are the one interpreting it this way. That is your interpretation.
Question: I have three daughters. They see that message. Many women in the room think that way. Perhaps I would listen to them first.
Mauresmo: You know, we wouldn`t be having this conversation… Maybe we can talk about it on the final Sunday [of the tournament], – said Mauresmo at the press conference.
