Matildas midfielder Katrina Gorry expressed her frustration over the ongoing discussions regarding the scheduling of women’s sport, particularly in relation to the Roland Garros tournament. This year’s schedule has sparked criticism as it features no evening matches for female athletes, leading to significant players, including world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, to advocate for women’s matches to receive more prominent placement.
Since the introduction of night sessions in 2021, only four women’s matches have been showcased in the prime-time slot. Contrastingly, men’s matches often dominate these evening slots across major tournaments. Amelie Mauresmo, Roland Garros’ tournament director, defended this scheduling choice, asserting that it does not imply the women are unworthy of these opportunities. Mauresmo highlighted logistical considerations such as match length, particularly given men’s matches are played in a best-of-five format, making it challenging to allocate slots equally.
Despite this, Gorry conveyed her disappointment that such discussions are still happening, indicating that female athletes have demonstrated their marketability and audience appeal in recent years, notably during the Matildas’ remarkable World Cup campaign in 2023. The team set a record for television viewership in Australia, with 11.15 million people watching their semi-final match against England, reinforcing the notion that there is a significant interest in women’s football.
Gorry emphasised the importance of investment in women’s sports and expressed her hope for change. She remarked, “It sucks that we’re still having these conversations,” stressing the need for better recognition and opportunities for female athletes. She believes that the progress observed in recent years indicates that women’s football has become an increasingly attractive spectacle, deserving of equal treatment and exposure in the sporting world.