In her post-match news conference, Jessica Pegula was asked whether she agreed with the thoughts of Ons Jabeur, who criticised the lack of women’s matches in the primetime evening slot at the French Open. Jabeur also posted on X, criticising the double standards in coverage of men’s matches compared to women’s.
“It’s never equal,” Pegula said. “I don’t really know what else to say. They don’t really seem to care or want to do anything different about it. I mean, I agree with her. It should be more fair.
“We are an event that is supposed to be equal. Slams, it’s supposed to be equal. Why not give us some more chances to be? But, you know, again, it feels like just hitting my head against the wall because I feel like we have been talking about this for two, three, four, probably forever, to be honest, because it’s never been equal.
“I’m happy that she’s able to speak up, and obviously she’s always been really good at wanting everything to be equal and fighting for not just where she’s from, but also for women in general. So, yeah, I’m with her, and I think, again, we have proven that we deserve the same amount of opportunity, yeah.”
Pegula refuted the idea that she feels “powerless” in the discussion, but expressed her frustration as a perceived lack of engagement or willingness for change.
“I just feel like they don’t listen, so I don’t know,” Pegula added. “We can keep saying it. It seems like that’s what just keeps happening. You know, if they don’t really want to respond or, like, do anything about it, then there is nothing.
“I mean, we can keep talking about it, and maybe that will eventually change it. But, no, I don’t think I feel powerless. It’s just it kind of is what it is until they want to make a change.”
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Ons Jabeur criticizes double standards in women’s tennis after French Open night slot controversy
