The French Open has always been a cauldron of tennis greatness, but in 2025, the clay courts ignited a firestorm beyond the baseline. Iga Swiatek—world No. 1, three-time Roland Garros champion, and the dominant force in women’s tennis—found herself not only defeated on court, but also thrust into a swirling controversy that questioned her star power and legacy. And the man behind the match-point controversy? None other than Serena Williams’ former coach, Patrick Mouratoglou.
As the French Open reached its business end, Swiatek had called for what seemed like a straightforward request: equal treatment for women in match scheduling. Despite being the tournament’s biggest female draw, Swiatek noticed a glaring trend—top men’s matches were consistently being given the prestigious night-time slots, while women, including herself, were often relegated to daytime play. “We create the same excitement,” Swiatek noted, pointing to the crowd energy, enthusiasm, and sell-out shows during her matches. But her call for parity was met with a cutting rebuttal from Mouratoglou.
Speaking to media, Mouratoglou unapologetically argued that women’s matches weren’t suited for the evening spotlight. In his words, fans who buy prime-time tickets expect marquee names—“superstars” like Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, or Serena Williams. Swiatek, despite her accomplishments, simply didn’t have that same magnetic pull, he said. It was a sharp jab many perceived as reducing the Polish champion’s dominance to little more than background noise against the roar of tennis’ most marketable figures.
The reaction was swift and divided. Some fans agreed with Mouratoglou’s take on the commercial realities of the sport. Others saw it as a blatant dismissal of women’s achievements, particularly in a year where Swiatek had just equaled Serena’s record of 26 consecutive wins at a single Grand Slam. To many, the comment wasn’t just about scheduling—it was a message that even greatness isn’t enough if it comes from the “wrong” side of the gender divide.
Fueling the drama, Swiatek’s reign came to an end in a stunning semi-final loss to Aryna Sabalenka. After a gritty battle, Sabalenka triumphed 7‑6(1), 4‑6, 6‑0, ending Swiatek’s seemingly untouchable run. The defeat, following so closely on the heels of Mouratoglou’s remarks, added symbolic weight to the moment—one queen dethroned, another rising.
Yet, if anything, this controversy has reignited a broader debate: What defines a “superstar” in modern tennis? Is it trophies, talent, or just ticket sales and headlines? Swiatek may lack Serena’s media magnetism or Djokovic’s decades-long aura, but her game is elite, her fanbase is growing, and her fight for equality is only just beginning.
In Paris, Swiatek may have lost a match—and momentarily, the spotlight. But in doing so, she’s stepped into a bigger role: the face of a movement challenging tennis to rethink who gets to stand in the light when the sun sets on Roljand Garros.