Selfishly, I have to say Friday’s French Open schedule is amazing. I say that while fully understanding that it is not-so-amazing for others.
But let’s start with the what and why of it:
The two men’s semifinals are being played on Court Philippe Chatrier, starting with Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer at 12:50 p.m. followed by Novak Djokovic vs. Dominic Thiem.
One women’s semifinal–Ashleigh Barty vs. Amanda Anisimova–begins at 11:00 a.m. on Court Suzanne Lenglen. The other–Joanna Konta vs. Marketa Voundousova–will be played simultaneously on the third biggest court, Simonne-Mathieu.
Given that there are no lights at Roland Garros and especially because of the Friday forecast, you can’t risk putting two men’s matches and a women’s match on Chatrier. The Chatrier options other than two men’s matches are one men’s match and one women’s match or one men’s match and both women’s matches.
But tournament officials want both men’s matches on Chatrier because tickets were solid for them as two different sessions; one ticket for one match and a separate ticket for the other one. The women’s semis–originally scheduled for Thursday–were always solid on one ticket.
The women were supposed to have a day off prior to their final, which is why being played at different times (albeit one right after the other) on Thursday would have been fine. Now with no days of rest, however, it is only fair to the four competitors that they start simultaneously–once again, especially because of the questionable forecast. This way there is little chance for one eventual finalist to hold a significant rest advantage over the other. That’s why Konta-Vondrousova is on Simonne Mathieu instead of second on Lenglen after Barty-Anisimova.
A lot of people figure the solution would be to put one women’s match and one men’s match each on Chatrier and Lenglen. This would have been sensible…aside from the fact that it would enrage one set of ticket holders (and which one?!?!) who paid to see one of the men’s matches on Chatrier.
Thus, the above is what will transpire (weather permitting, of course).
WTA CEO Steve Simon's statement on the scheduling of the 2019 Roland Garros women's semifinals: pic.twitter.com/XbbUBtQjz4
— wta (@WTA) June 6, 2019
“Obviously, we would love to play on Chatrier,” Barty admitted. “For me, personally, I’m excited to be in a semifinal. It doesn’t really matter which court I play on. I’m in a semifinal. I’m going to be ready to play. Yes, of course we would have loved to play on Chatrier. It’s a beautiful court. But in saying that, all four of us will be ready and prepared and go out there and enjoy it.”
I’ll enjoy it, too. As a member of the media, I can watch whichever turns out to be the more entertaining women’s semi, followed by Nadal vs. Federer, followed by Djokovic vs. Thiem. Perfect.
But it is rough women’s semifinal ticket-holders, because now they get either one semi or the other; not both.
Rain was a disaster for tournament officials. It always has been and it always will be in tennis (no longer at the French starting in 2020, thankfully, as a roof will be over Chatrier). It created a lose-lose situation for the schedule-makers.
Did they do the best they could? I say yes….
…But, again, I’m selfish!
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thoughts?
Only one court (PC) with roof? I think they should have three courts at least with roof, so that more players could benefit from that instead of only the top players.
Sure I’d like to see both WTA SF matches on Chatrier. I’m certain I’m in the minority. It would be shocking to think of them NOT scheduling both ATP SF’s on Chatrier. And due to the weather, there’s a chance that all matches could be a wash out, I suppose.
The Fedal match should be over in 3 sets – not too worried about that one. But Nole and Thiem could go the distance and be interrupted or worst case, be delayed until Saturday. That favors Rafa. But he’s already favored no matter what. Nothing to fuss about in the end.
SF’s
Rafa in 3 and Nole in 4.
Jo Konta will come out ready to roll and win the first set. The young Czech will play her best catch-up tennis and I hope win in three. I like the lefty Marketa Vondrousova. Konta is favored of course.
Barty is a magical athlete in every way. I’ll be reasonably shocked if Anisimova wins. Anisimova I guess purely overpowered Halep. (from what I’ve heard/read; did not see that one coming!)
WTA final
Guessing a Barty v Konta final with Barty raising the trophy!
Elizabeth..like your confidence about Rafa…hope it comes to pass..btw primary fan of ?
Sanju, I’m usually cheering for Novak when it comes to GS’s. He’s always been Gumby (in a good way to me) I like a good Rafole and at the French this time? I just feel Rafa will win – his 18th or is it 19th? Sure I’d like to see Nole get his 4th GS in a year… again. But it’s a lot of pressure – too much to ask. Always seems to be a price to pay for such feats.
Thanks again for asking. Of the next gen I’m liking Tsitsipas. But Thiem can also be exciting to watch. I won’t grumble if Thiem is playing his best tennis and beats Novak in an out and out battle.
I am liking tsitsipas a lot n I like Thiem a lot too. I will be cheering for both going forth. But dare I get emotionally invested in either. Rafa has already been bad for me last 12 years emotionally..I don’t want to go through the same emotional investment again with another player . I just want to support them without bothering much if they win or lose.
If Rafa wins..it will be his 18th..
Novak seems too dialled in. I won’t write him off at all. He knows he is on cusp of making history..only player to win all 4 twice though not same calendar year and also be the player to hold double career slam in open era..he will leave it all on court. The only way he will lose is if the occasion gets to him big time like it did in 2012 french when he first was gunning for all 4 in a row..
Yeah Sanju- you said it.. i used to enjoy tennis without bias right until the 2007 wimby final. Since that time though Rafa has been the shining star in tennis for me. In fact since the wimbledon 2008 final there are barely any matches of Rafa that i have not watched. From the highs of the Australian open 2009 to the abyss of the end of 2009, from the highs of uso 2010 to the how does he beat djoko of ao 2012 from the phoenix like rise of 2013 to the doubts of 2015-16, the journey continues. But like you said, it takes it toll on you even when you know it is completey utterly irrational. One cannot control anything what these players do nor does whatever they do matter to us since we have our own problems to deal with.
But having said all that tomorrow i will be back biting my nails and living the ups and downs with Rafa😄
I have stopped watching since 2015. The only match I watched was 17 ao final n was so disappointed .I just stopped watching . Nerves can’t take it but frankly not watching n after 3 hrs trying to peep in is even worse 🙂
You two have well described the experience of a true fan, showing why the word is short for ‘fanatic.’
@Ricky,
Thanks for giving some of the reasoning behind the scheduling. In addition the men’s matches feature 4 (ok, maybe 3.5) superstars and the top 4 seeds at that, plus a Fedal match is the hottest ticket in tennis; the women players are interesting but not household names.
At least the early starts for the women gives them the best shot at finishing on Friday. Women play only 3 set matches so I don’t think not having a day off will be crucial. Playing 2 a day – not so much!
The Barty-Anisimova match is the ranking equivalent of Kevin Anderson vs. Kukushkin. It’s not a man/woman thing, because I can guarantee if Serena were in the mix, we’d be having a different conversation, complaining that the world Nos. 1 and 4 were not put on the main court.
I have to work during Fedal tomorrow so I’m rooting for a delay until Saturday lol
Long time reader. Tennis punter and fan.
This should come as no surprise. I’m as socially liberal as you can be, very committed with women’s rights and empowerment. Try to watch women’s soccer, softball and basketball whenever I can. It’s a shame the limitations they face at the pro level.
However, ironically enough, as this is not the case in tennis, at least in the financial sense, I’ve been extremely disappointed with women’s tennis for the last few years. No consistency from the top players whatsoever. Very questionable intensity level from tournament to tournament (which is true in the men’s game as well). Osaka gets on a roll, then falls of the face of the earth. Wozniacki finally wins a Slam then disappears. Halep is dropped in straights by a 17 year old!. Serena MIA. Muguruza plays a few excellent matches then doesn’t show up against a former US Open champion who showed so much promise, poise and talent only a few years ago, only to quietly fade away. Not to mention the games themselves. No one can hold serve consistently. Before this game Halep broke serve 16 straight times! Which is impressive but also kind of laughable from a different angle. Games start off 6-1 and then the second set goes exactly the opposite, out of nowhere. Former champions like Muguruza and Halep losing in two without even sniffing a tie-break or even a 5-5.
Of course there are players doing fine things every week in the WTA. But sports, like any kind of entertainment, rely on stars showing up. Like Djokovic, Rafa, Roger and Thiem. Even Wawrinka and Zverev.
Had tomorrow’s games been Serena vs Wozniacki, Halep vs Muguruza, I’m pretty sure they would’ve found a way to make it work. Not only officials, but the public, whom they just mirror.
it’s about the money, it’s always about the money. These 4 guys rake in more. They are going to get the big stage. That’s fine, once you realize the tournaments are about making a profit.
Women’s tennis is very inconsistant right now and while I like the fact I don’t know who is going to show up every week to play, it’s a little boring. Watching them break each other’s serve every game is tedious after a while. An hour on the court and they’ve played 6 games.
And I will probably get slammed for this, as I believe in equality for the sexes, but what is different for the women at a Grand Slam? They are still playing 3 sets. The guys are out there for sometimes, 3-6 hours and they get the same money. Don’t agree with that policy. And I am female. Doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of equality there.