MusaThe French Open has long been a stage not just for world-class tennis, but also for simmering debates—and this year, the controversy du jour is all about scheduling. As tennis fans continue to notice the glaring imbalance between men’s and women’s matches in prime-time slots, rising star Mirra Andreeva has stepped into the fray with a surprisingly chill take: “It doesn’t really matter.”
While Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek have previously voiced their frustrations over the lack of evening match opportunities for women, Andreeva’s comment struck a different chord. At just 17, the Russian teen sensation seems unfazed by the prestige of the late-night spotlight. “I don’t really care when I play. As long as I’m playing,” she shrugged in her post-match presser. Cool. Calm. Controversial?
Her remark has sparked fresh debate online. Some fans praised her maturity and focus, while others questioned whether that attitude risks letting tournament organizers off the hook. After all, there’s no denying the disparity: more often than not, it’s the men who get prime-time billing, while women are shuffled into afternoon slots with smaller audiences.
Gauff and Swiatek, both Grand Slam champions and established stars, have made it clear that representation matters. They’ve argued that consistent prime-time exposure helps grow the women’s game and inspires future generations. Andreeva, however, seems more focused on her game than on time slots—for now.
Still, as her profile rises, the young prodigy may soon find herself rethinking that stance. Because in tennis, timing is everything—and that includes the clock on the court schedule. Whether she likes it or not, Mirra Andreeva is now part of a bigger conversation.
One thing’s for sure: she’s not just joining the top names in talent—she’s joining them in the spotlight, whether it’s 2 p.m. or 9 p.m.
Musa
John Owolabi
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