The director of the Roland-Garros tournament, Amélie Mauresmo, and the president of the French Tennis Federation, Gilles Moretto, this Sunday in front of the press, to take stock of the 2024 edition of Roland-Garros.
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00:03 Hello Gilles, Amélie.
00:05 You cited the Parisian culture as a reason for not being able to move the start time of the night session any earlier to accommodate two matches.
00:22 It's also, as you've been discussing in French, clearly part of Parisian culture to not be in seats on Châtier at 11am for that first match and to a slightly lesser degree the second match.
00:36 Of the 11 days when both men's and women's matches could be scheduled first on Châtier, it has been women's matches every day, including the quarter-finals.
00:49 I just wondered what the thinking was behind that.
00:52 I think you had the same question last year.
00:56 The answer is also that we have three big courts that we try to balance, where we try to balance the schedule.
01:08 Do you know how many men started on Langland this year?
01:13 You don't play finals or semi-finals on Langland.
01:19 I know, but it's our two bigger courts.
01:23 You know as well as I do that, especially in the first week of the main draw, we balance these two big courts because all the matches that we have to play, those are our big courts.
01:37 So to be clear, you're comfortable with the balance?
01:40 We try to do our best with that balance.
01:44 We don't only make a schedule for one court.
01:48 We try to balance everything, not only in those two courts, we try to balance everything out of all the courts that are playing for singles.
01:56 Just finally, Anastasia Drabbe did express disappointment that her quarter-final was scheduled first.
02:02 Any response to that?
02:05 That she was scheduled first?
02:07 At 11am, yes.
02:09 Well, we know there's going to be a match at 11am, so what was her call?
02:17 She wanted someone else to be scheduled at 11am.
02:20 Maybe a man?
02:22 You know when we do the schedule, we try to have many different things in mind.
02:27 That's how it was for this year.
02:31 Was it Tuesday or Wednesday?
02:34 I don't remember.
02:37 Hi there, Amélie.
02:39 You're right, we have asked these questions for a couple of years now.
02:43 Two years ago, I think the night session was nine men's matches and one women's match.
02:48 I think the same the following year.
02:50 This year, you've added an additional match and it's 11-0.
02:55 Does it sadden you that you haven't been able to find a solution to that situation?
03:01 It does, but again, it's not a matter of how interesting the matches can be.
03:12 For us, it's a matter of the length of the matches.
03:17 I'm always going to be responding the same thing to you.
03:22 In terms of the people that are coming to watch the match, the 15,000 people that are coming.
03:28 It's complicated for us to think that maybe it's going to be very short.
03:36 We try our best and it's not easy and it's not satisfying, definitely.
03:43 That was our choice this year, which doesn't mean it's going to be the choice next year.
03:51 Things can change also.
03:53 What was the reason that you decided not to add a second best of three set match,
03:59 whether it be another women's match or a doubles match?
04:08 You mean if we put a women's match?
04:11 Yes, if you were to have two best of three set matches in the night session rather than one best of five set match.
04:17 Because our goal is also to try not to have the players starting late and finishing late.
04:25 Which we were not able to do because of the weather this year.
04:29 I think it was very complicated to avoid it this year.
04:34 But we don't put two matches starting at 8.30 because we don't want to finish late.
04:39 Because if the first match is two and a half, three hours, they start at 11 or 11.30.
04:49 So we never know.
04:52 Was the alcohol ban in the stands necessary and has that contributed to the empty seats?
05:03 To the empty seats?
05:04 Because people need to go and get a drink.
05:07 I don't think so at all.
05:09 That it was influencing the stadium being full or not.
05:16 Honestly, I don't think in the end of the day it was necessary because it wasn't the first decision we made.
05:25 First of all, I want to say that the atmosphere was unbelievable throughout these three weeks.
05:31 I said it in French at the beginning.
05:33 It's not because there was one incident on David's match that we have to make a general comment about how Roland-Garros was this year.
05:43 In terms of atmosphere and people not behaving or whatever.
05:48 But the first thing that we said to our security department is these individuals,
05:56 because they are just individuals in the middle of the big stadiums.
06:00 We know them, they know them, they spot them.
06:05 And just tell them to calm down.
06:07 And just by appearing next to them from the security guys, that was it.
06:12 And since that day, nothing happened.
06:15 So honestly, in my opinion, the alcohol, maybe it wasn't necessary.
06:19 And I don't think it was the reason why the stadium at some point was empty.
06:25 You didn't see, but we had the same case on the Philippe Chartrier once, because I was the one to mention the people.
06:31 Then security went and they went out, two, just two of them.
06:34 It was the Svere match, I think.
06:37 And they were in front of the umpire.
06:40 You didn't see that, I did.
06:42 And they were limit.
06:44 So we said out.
06:45 So they went out for a while and then they came back for the next match.
06:49 I said, "Okay, slow down a little bit."
06:51 And they were very happy.
06:53 So I won't say how, why and what, but it can happen.
06:57 It's only cases.
06:59 And I think I agree with what Hameli said.
07:02 The atmosphere is just unbelievable.
07:04 I'm very happy that people are enjoying watching tennis, because I've been in Australia, I've been in Indian Wells.
07:10 And all those people are very, very happy, watch tennis.
07:13 And they really respect tennis, those.
07:16 But there is always sometimes guys who, you know, they go too far.
07:22 So it's also good to tennis.
07:25 And I mentioned some team matches where it's no atmosphere at all sometimes.
07:32 I like those people enjoying watching tennis.
07:35 So we need them.
07:37 Control them, but we need them.
07:40 Hameli, I just wanted to ask, last year you mentioned that you were pleased that you got a good balance of that third match on Châtier,
07:47 which is another big slot, the kind of last afternoon slot.
07:51 And last year there were actually more women's matches in that slot than men's.
07:55 But this year it's flipped back to, I think, six men, four women on the days where there could have been either.
08:01 Six men, four women, okay.
08:04 Yeah, I think there were ten days, that third match on Châtier, which is also a big prime time slot,
08:11 which you cited as a way of slightly counterbalancing the fact that the evening slot had always been a men's match.
08:18 But this year it's gone back, that slot also is more men's match.
08:22 And the last four days where it could have been either was all men's.
08:26 How conscious of you are that and how big a concern is that?
08:29 Because it means often on Châtier women's matches were done by 2, 3, 3 p.m.
08:34 And young people coming home from school or whatever, they don't get to see any women's tennis.
08:39 Is that something that you're conscious of?
08:42 Okay, so this year we were very conscious about it because we had no choice.
08:47 Because this year, if you remember the first week that we had, we were finishing the matches how we could on every court most of the days.
09:00 I think one day we didn't even play, but most of the days we finished very late.
09:06 And yes, our choice for the players that were playing late and best of five was to give them a little bit more rest.
09:18 So six and four is still okay given the conditions that we had this year.
09:24 And some players also played every day.
09:27 So it was, if you remember, there were some cancelled matches and everything.
09:33 So when we do the scheduling, we also try to think about each player, each individual player,
09:39 and give them the extra rest or to be fair to the opponent and try to keep the brackets how we could.
09:53 So that was one reason.
09:55 But six and four, out of this first week of main draws that we had,
09:59 we did also what we could because I think the weather conditions didn't help us on this at all.
10:06 So that ratio feels okay to you, taking that in plus the night session match, plus taking the cutbacks?
10:13 The thing is, when you enter this first week of main draw with this unbalanced way of playing the matches,
10:22 all in the evening, basically, all of them, some were starting in the morning,
10:29 but then waiting all day and finishing in the evening, apart from those that we were cancelling.
10:34 It's tough to then get back to balance it a different way, actually.
10:45 It's my understanding that during the Olympics, the evening session will be scheduled for 7pm.
10:51 I'm not sure about the Olympics. I have no idea.
10:55 I really can't tell you. That's the ITF organisation.
11:00 I haven't got them and I haven't seen the schedule yet, but I don't know if they're playing at night.
11:05 It's a good question anyway.
11:08 There's going to be a day session at 12pm and a night session at 7pm with two matches.
11:14 I do appreciate that matches are best of three sets at the Olympics, so it's different.
11:19 I also do appreciate that probably the crowd that is going to go to the Olympics in August
11:24 is going to be different from the one that is attending Roland-Garros.
11:28 But would you consider that as a trial test to see if that could possibly work?
11:34 What would be very different for the Olympics, as I mentioned,
11:41 on Roland-Garros, some of the spectators are tennis members from the Olympics.
11:50 Unfortunately, we don't know who is going to come.
11:53 I hope it's tennis fans, but for France, we don't know.
11:58 We could have, I said to the Olympic Committee and to Paris 2024,
12:02 I told them that maybe one day we won't have any French tennis members in Roland-Garros.
12:10 Because you don't know who will be there.
12:13 So, will they be fans or not?
12:16 I think the Olympics is something very different.
12:19 Will they stay from the beginning, from the first point to the last point?
12:22 No idea.
12:24 And if I may, a different question for Amélie.
12:27 In hindsight, I understand that hindsight is 20/20, but do you think that putting the...
12:32 In hindsight, with the benefit of knowing what happened now...
12:36 It's always easier when you do the scheduling when the day is over.
12:45 Much easier.
12:47 Knowing what happened, which you obviously didn't,
12:50 would you make a different choice on Saturday night
12:53 instead of putting Dimitrov-Bergs on Châtelier and delaying the Djokovic-Mosetti match?
12:59 You know what, I'm not even going to answer this question.
13:02 Because, as I said, it's always easy.
13:05 Afterwards, when you know how the day is going to go,
13:08 perfect, any day, actually.
13:11 Whether it rains, it rains, oh, it rained at this time,
13:15 okay, so it doesn't work like that.
13:18 Hello. One quick question about the idea of this culture here
13:26 and the idea of people not wanting to come at 7pm.
13:30 Have you thought about the possibility that if you were to start a night match at 7pm,
13:37 maybe people would show up?
13:40 They've paid for tickets or been given them for free,
13:46 maybe they would leave work a little early and come watch tennis?
13:50 For two matches, then?
13:52 Yeah.
13:53 Along with this cultural approach, we also have a logistical one,
13:58 meaning with the day session ending on all courts,
14:03 sometimes at 9pm or later,
14:06 the thing is that our stadium is too small compared to the US Open one
14:10 or the Australian one,
14:12 to manage and to welcome, I would say, night fans,
14:17 perhaps at 5.30 or 6, to be able to be seated at 7.
14:22 And still, to be able to, let's say, welcome in good conditions
14:27 the day guys who are still around.
14:29 So this logistical/operational constraint made us, let's say,
14:35 change our mind and our position.
14:38 And that's why we're different compared to the US Open and the Australian Open.
14:42 So that's not only cultural.
14:44 I did also just want to ask whether it's fair to say,
14:51 I'm in the lead mostly, but anyone can answer,
14:54 that the WTA Tour, perhaps women's players or anyone else
14:59 who don't love the idea of zero prime-time exposure
15:06 for women's tennis in night matches,
15:09 need to just accept that that's not going to change here.
15:14 That for various reasons, whether it's TV or other explanations you've offered,
15:19 that it's just this is the way it's going to be.
15:23 First of all, when we do the scheduling,
15:27 the WTA is in the room, as well as the ATP,
15:32 as well as the Grand Slam supervisor, TV.
15:36 We are all together, referee, obviously.
15:40 We are all together.
15:42 And I did not see any push also to have the women's match in the evening.
15:52 So I think it's a very complicated decision.
15:58 Those decisions are complicated to make.
16:00 It's not easy.
16:01 Yes, having one match makes things complicated in this matter.
16:05 But again, I never say it's going to be never.
16:11 And again, I will not say it for now.
16:15 That's not what it's all about.
16:21 Just wondering, you've been talking about things you're going to be looking at in this debrief.
16:26 What key issues will you be looking at?
16:29 Because obviously we've been hearing there are quite a few problems
16:33 in terms of optics of the tournament,
16:37 the fact that there is this imbalance, there is this inequality,
16:42 and it's quite flagrant.
16:44 And it's becoming more and more difficult to justify.
16:48 What other issues are you going to be looking at?
16:51 Because clearly if you're not coming up with a solution for this issue next year,
16:57 then questions will be asked about the organisation and the tournament itself.
17:02 Maybe you can tell us some more issues that we need to address.
17:08 But yes, those are things that we address all the time
17:13 and that we are sometimes not comfortable with.
17:16 But when you fix one thing, there is another thing that is not going to work.
17:20 And that's the big thing that we have to address.
17:25 And we will do it in a couple of weeks all together without hiding behind anything.
17:32 I think we talk to each other pretty openly.
17:37 And not only us here in the room, but all the operational people and all the staff, everyone.
17:45 And we try to get things better, but it's not as straightforward as it might look.
17:52 Hi, Amélie.
17:56 Novak Djokovic said that he thinks that his knee injury was caused by the court surface,
18:03 that it was too slippery.
18:05 And that if it had been allowed to be swept more frequently,
18:09 then that would have helped and he potentially wouldn't have got injured.
18:13 He felt like his injury was avoidable if they'd just swept the courts more frequently.
18:18 How do you respond to that?
18:19 Have you had talks with the ground staff on this issue?
18:22 And will you look at allowing in certain extreme weather scenarios,
18:26 will you look into allowing the court to be swept more frequently?
18:30 Sorry, I didn't understand the last part of the…
18:33 Did I?
18:34 Djokovic asked whether the court could be swept more frequently.
18:37 Is that something that you'll look into allowing in future years?
18:43 I think it's depending.
18:45 From my understanding, it's not only depending on the player asking.
18:50 Maybe it's also the umpire decision.
18:54 Also, I think the Grand Slam supervisor was on the court on that day,
18:59 also made the decision not to.
19:02 So, I think those decisions are made on court, obviously,
19:09 with the people who can judge if that's possible or not.
19:14 So, that's what happened on that day and the decision you saw was made.
19:27 We have an opportunity to talk about a broader subject,
19:31 which you obviously are part of.
19:34 If I could ask a question.
19:36 Do you mind?
19:37 About what?
19:40 I would like to know your opinion of where tennis internationally,
19:44 after the meetings in Madrid, which apparently were intense, maybe?
19:49 I don't know.
19:51 What you think of the state of tennis
19:54 and with Saudi Arabia trying to get into it?
19:58 Is that good? Is that bad?
20:00 Your opinion.
20:01 My opinion on what's happening now,
20:06 it's our sport is a huge sport
20:11 and I'm very happy that countries like Saudi Arabia are interested in tennis.
20:18 We are all together in the SLAM's ATP WTA meeting.
20:26 We don't tell everyone what's happening, but we're working on it.
20:31 Our objective, we all have the same objective.
20:35 It's how can we increase, improve our sport for our worldwide fans.
20:42 So, that's it.
20:43 We're trying to and we're all concerned.
20:46 We all feel like there's probably a few changes to make.
20:50 So, let's work.
20:52 That's what I will say and we're working on it.
20:56 We had meetings.
20:57 You can see that the SLAM's, we are very close, all four.
21:02 And also, from our past, I'm still an ATP member.
21:08 We're still close to the two, very close to the players
21:12 and very concerned about the future of tennis.
21:15 So, we're working on it.
21:17 That's it.
21:18 Thank you.
21:19 Merci.
21:20 Thank you.
21:21 Merci.
21:22 [MUSIC PLAYING]