Explained: Amelie Mauresmo’s French Open role amid ongoing scheduling controversy

The French Open scheduling debate has been more controversial than ever in 2025 – and one woman has found herself at the centre of it.
A former world No 1 and a two-time Grand Slam singles champion, Amelie Mauresmo has found herself the focus of huge scrutiny amid the night session row that has dominated Roland Garros so far.
Mauresmo has found herself defending both the tournament and her own role, but what exactly does the Frenchwoman do at the French Open?
Here, we explain Mauresmo’s time and role as tournament director, and why she has faced criticism in 2025.
Becoming tournament director
Champion at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2006, and with 39 weeks as the WTA world No 1 to her name, Mauresmo is arguably the greatest French player of the Open Era.
A hugely popular figure as a player, Mauresmo called time on her career in 2009 and, after retirement, spent time as a coach – notably coaching former ATP world No 1 Andy Murray for a spell.
However, the 45-year-old took on a brand new role in December 2021, when it was announced she would become the French Open’s first ever female tournament director.
“I will put all my energy into this new role, as in everything I have ever done in my life,” said Mauresmo at the time.
“I want to work hard and excel in this new mission. I want to put forward ideas for many of the fields connected with the tournament. I’m definitely stepping out of my comfort zone.”
What does her role involve?
Mauresmo’s role is not exactly straightforward, especially considering the fact that the French Open is one of the four biggest tennis tournaments in the world.
Her role encompasses both the pre-event preparations and ensuring the tournament runs smoothly through the three weeks of the event, from qualifying to the singles finals on the final weekend.
Tournament directors usually find themselves making sure top players are happy and satisfied, that the schedule and event run smoothly, and that the thousands of staff and volunteers on site are looked after.
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Mauresmo is far from the only tennis star to become a tournament director in recent years.
Most notably, former world No 1 Garbine Muguruza became the WTA Finals tournament director in 2024, while Feliciano Lopez is currently the tournament director of the Madrid Open.
Why is she facing criticism?
Mauresmo is currently under fire due to a fierce debate regarding the lack of a women’s night session match at the tournament.
In 2025, no women’s matches have so far been held in the specific night session slot, continuing an ongoing trend since the night session was introduced in 2021.
That year, eight of the 10 night sessions saw a men’s match selected, followed by 9-1 selections in favour of men’s singles matches in 2022 and 2023.
All 11 night session matches in 2024 were men’s matches, meaning that the tournament looks set to go a full two years without a single WTA match held in the Chatrier night session.
That has understandably been under the microscope, with several leading WTA stars – including Ons Jabeur and Coco Gauff – among those calling for more equality within the scheduling.
Mauresmo has been questioned repeatedly about the controversy, and during a tense back-and-forth with a journalist, she insisted the tournament was not being disrespectful to female players.
“For me, the message that I always said, and I will repeat, is the conditions have not changed of having one unique match in the evening,” she said.
“The message has never been the girls are not worthy of playing at night. It’s never been this.”
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