There were a few unexpected early exits of top American players, including Coco Gauff, yesterday. But amid that, it also reopened one of Roland-Garros’s most contentious debates. In the third round, Gauff lost to Anastasia Potapova, Naomi Osaka defeated Iva Jovic, and Amanda Anisimova lost to Diane Parry, prompting former WTA pros to question the French Open’s prime-time scheduling.
Pam Shriver and Rennae Stubbs Blast French Open Scheduling After Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, and Naomi Osaka’s Matches
The French Open has now gone 32 consecutive prime-time night sessions without a single women’s match. The last time a women’s match was featured under the lights on Court Philippe Chatrier was back in 2023.
Last year, tournament director Amélie Mauresmo faced heavy backlash for handing the marquee 8:15 p.m. slot on Court Philippe-Chatrier to the men. The tournament has historically justified this by citing match length and, controversially, the “appeal” of men’s matchups to single-match ticket buyers. Nothing has changed this year, as during a heated press conference, Mauresmo pushed back again, telling reporters, “I would like to change the subject.”
In 2025, Gauff addressed the controversy, standing in solidarity with Ons Jabeur, who has been a vocal critic of the tournament’s failure to put women in the prime-time spotlight. Women’s tennis has repeatedly produced top-tier entertainment with thrilling comebacks and tiebreaks, and deserves equal access to the premier viewing window.
Saturday, after the matches, ex-WTA players and analysts took to social media to point out exactly what the Parisian night crowd was missing.
Former world No. 3 Pam Shriver didn’t hold back her sarcasm after watching the three-set battle between Anisimova and hometown favorite Parry. The match was intense, with Parry breaking to go up 4-3 in the final set before Anisimova broke back. Anisimova stayed ahead at 6-5, but Parry triggered a match-deciding tiebreaker. They locked scores early at 3-3. But Parry fought back to secure a 10-3 tiebreak win, ending the 2-hour, 44-minute battle.
“Anisimova vs Parry would have been an awesome night match… never-mind silly me,” Shriver posted on X.
She also wrote in a separate post: “What could have been for this to be a night match. It’s too obvious, just like not having obstacles in the field of play for players to fall over.”
What could have been for this to be a night match. It’s too obvious, just like not having obstacles in the field of play for players to fall over. pic.twitter.com/Y5JeqW6RPv
— Pam Shriver (@PHShriver) May 30, 2026
Former world No. 1 doubles player Stubbs followed, while praising four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka, who defeated rising American star Jovic 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-4 in her 100th Grand Slam match that lasted nearly three hours.
“Also may I add. The Jovic Osaka match would have been a GREAT night match too,” Stubbs wrote. “Loved the fight from both players today. Awesome tennis and gritty win for Naomi. She will NOT be an easy out is this tournament.”
Also may i add. The Jovic Osaka match would have been a GREAT night match too. Loved the fight from both players today. Awesome tennis and gritty win for Naomi. She will NOT be an easy out is this tournament.
— Rennae Stubbs ♈️ (@rennaestubbs) May 30, 2026
Stubbs also congratulated Potapova on dethroning defending champion Gauff in their three-set match, noting that the dramatic turning points would have been a perfect treat for a prime-time audience.
“Credit Potapova. She’s had some great results lately & today she showed incredible resilience, once she lost her racquet & maybe a nail at 1-3 in the 3rd, she sure started playing super aggressive tennis & deserved a gritty win,” Stubbs noted. “Also that would have been a great night match!”
Besides Jabeur and Gauff, Osaka, Jessica Pegula, and Jelena Ostapenko have also spoken out about this issue, while the tournament’s authority continues to defend its decision.
