As the spotlight intensifies ahead of her 2026 Australian Open campaign, Emma Raducanu has added her voice to the growing conversation around late-night scheduling in women’s tennis. Speaking before the season’s first Grand Slam, Raducanu framed the issue as a practical challenge that players must navigate, especially when women’s matches are scheduled after potentially long men’s contests.
The Growing Debate Over Late-Night Scheduling in Women’s Tennis
The topic has become especially relevant in recent seasons as women’s matches are frequently scheduled after extended men’s contests, particularly at Grand Slams. The debate intensified during recent editions of the French Open, where women’s singles were often absent from the prime-time night session, drawing criticism from several top players.
While tournament organizers have pointed to broadcast logistics and the uncertainty of best-of-five-set men’s matches, many players and fans see the pattern as limiting visibility and adding unnecessary strain. Against that backdrop, Raducanu’s comments resonate because they focus squarely on the lived experience of adjusting preparation, recovery, and mindset when a match is pushed deep into the night.
During her pre-tournament press conference, Raducanu spoke about the logistical challenges of placing women’s matches after men’s best-of-five encounters. “I think it’s very difficult to schedule women’s matches after a potential five-set match,” she said, explaining that such decisions can stretch the evening well beyond what players can reasonably prepare for.
“To me, it doesn’t really make much sense.”
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Still, she acknowledged the reality of the situation, noting that once schedules are released, players have little choice but to adapt. “After seeing it, the initial reaction is probably that it’s a late one. Then you deal with it, try to shift your day, and adjust.”
Raducanu also emphasized that the scenario still feels unfamiliar to her. She pointed out that she has rarely played that late in her career, recalling only one comparable instance. “I think I’ve only been in that situation once before, maybe when I played the US Open semifinals and played the second night match,” she said. “Other than that, I haven’t played that late.”
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Rather than framing the experience negatively, she described it as part of her ongoing development. “For me, it’s a new experience and something I need to learn to do,” Raducanu added. “Hopefully, if I’m playing this game for a long time, I’ll be in this situation again. It’s a good learning step to try to adjust and deal with that day as well.”
Raducanu will make her fifth main draw appearance at the Melbourne Major. The 28th seed will take on Mananchaya Sawangkaew in the first round. According to PFSN’s exclusive interactive simulator, Raducanu is 76% likely to win the clash.
The match is slated for the night session at Margaret Court Arena and will take place after the men’s singles contest between Alexander Bublik and Jenson Brooksby. This will be their first meeting on the WTA Tour, with the winner meeting either Suzan Lamens or Anastasia Potapova in the second round.
