WTA slams Roland Garros as women semi-finalists denied centre court

Is it sexism? Women’s Tennis Association boss Steve Simon is wondering why  French Open organizers have scheduled both of the women’s semi-finals away from centre court, while the men are allowed to play there.

The decision, which he has criticised,  was made after Wednesday’s play was washed out, causing a logjam in scheduling at Roland Garros.

The women’s semi-finals, originally scheduled for Thursday, were shifted to Friday, with British number one Johanna Konta to play Czech Marketa Vondrousova on Court Simonne Mathieu, the newly-built third show court.

Australia’s Ashleigh Barty and American Amanda Anisimova will meet on the second-ranked Court Suzanne Lenglen in the other semi-final.

“There is no doubt that scheduling has been challenged by weather conditions and the WTA understands the scheduling issues presented at Roland Garros,” Simon said in a statement.

“We are, however, extremely disappointed by the scheduling of both women’s semi-finals on outside courts. This decision is unfair and inappropriate.

“The four women who have played so well and made it this far have earned the right to play on the biggest stage.

Tournament director Guy Forget said on Wednesday more inclement weather could force the men’s and women’s finals to be pushed back respectively to Sunday and Monday.

In the similarly disrupted 2012 tournament, Nadal beat Djokovic in the men’s final on the third Monday of the championships.