In a world where tradition has long dictated the rhythm of Grand Slam tennis, 20-year-old Coco Gauff is flipping the script. This time, it’s not just her blistering forehands or tireless defense making headlines—it’s her voice. And at Roland-Garros 2025, the reigning US Open champion is making it loud and clear: Coco Gauff wants prime-time.
Her demand isn’t just about convenience. It’s a rallying cry against outdated norms that continue to relegate women’s matches to afternoon slots while reserving the marquee night sessions almost exclusively for men. And with the spotlight she commands globally, Gauff’s stance isn’t just timely—it’s tectonic.
Welcome to a new era of tennis, where talent talks, but conviction echoes even louder.
The Prime-Time Problem: A Quiet Bias
For decades, prime-time slots—those coveted night matches under stadium lights—have served as the holy grail for any tennis star. They attract the largest television audiences, maximize sponsor visibility, and carry the electric energy of a crowd ready to roar.
Yet, despite the WTA producing some of the most thrilling narratives in recent years, these nighttime showdowns have been dominated by ATP names. This isn’t just about Novak Djokovic or Carlos Alcaraz; it’s about a system that, consciously or not, sidelines equally deserving female athletes.
Gauff, one of the sport’s brightest stars, is challenging this imbalance head-on.
Coco’s Case: A Star Built for Prime-Time
Few athletes embody “box-office appeal” like Coco Gauff. Since bursting onto the scene at 15 by defeating Venus Williams at Wimbledon, Gauff has become a global force. She’s an elite athlete, a passionate advocate for justice, and an unshakable competitor with charisma that translates beyond the baseline.
In New York, she brought Arthur Ashe Stadium to its feet with her US Open win. Her matches drew record-breaking numbers on ESPN and across streaming platforms. The data speaks clearly: Gauff is good for business—and great for the game.
Yet at Roland-Garros, she often finds herself scheduled early in the day, away from the mass spotlight she’s earned. In 2024, her quarterfinal was played mid-afternoon, while the night session went to lesser-known ATP players. This year, she’s making sure the conversation isn’t ignored.
“I’m not asking for special treatment,” Gauff told reporters. “But I think when the top women’s players are delivering on the biggest stages, we deserve that stage in prime time, too.”
More Than A Match: What Coco Gauff Represents
Gauff’s push for change comes at a moment of cultural reckoning in sport. Equal prize money has been achieved at the Grand Slams, but equality in exposure remains elusive. And exposure matters—especially for women’s sports.
Prime-time scheduling isn’t just symbolic. It’s a key driver of athlete branding, audience growth, and future endorsement deals. It gives young fans—especially girls—a chance to see themselves reflected in champions. Gauff, Naomi Osaka, Iga Swiatek, and Aryna Sabalenka are not just athletes; they are ambassadors for a more inclusive, more compelling future in tennis.
By challenging traditional scheduling, Gauff isn’t only advocating for herself. She’s spotlighting an outdated structure that limits the growth of the women’s game.
Roland-Garros Responds: A Tournament at the Crossroads
The French Open, long considered the most traditional of the Grand Slams, has started to shift. Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo faced criticism in 2022 after she admitted that women’s matches were “less appealing” for night sessions—a comment she later walked back after public backlash.
This year, Roland-Garros has promised more balance. But words alone aren’t enough. Gauff’s direct challenge applies pressure that can no longer be brushed aside.
Will tournament organizers make good on their promise to give the women’s game equal billing?
With Gauff leading the charge, fans are watching.
The Business of Bold: Why Gauff’s Move Is Brilliant
Some might say Coco is making waves at a time she should be focusing on her game. But this is exactly why she stands out. She’s not just managing her own brand; she’s redefining what it means to be a modern champion.
By speaking up, Gauff is aligning herself with athletes like Serena Williams and Billie Jean King—icons who didn’t just play the game, but shaped it. She understands the commercial power she holds, and she’s using it to open doors for others.
Sponsors, media executives, and fans are taking notice. Gauff’s willingness to challenge the status quo elevates her narrative—and that of women’s tennis—far beyond the sport itself.
Fan Reaction: Support Surging on Social
On X (formerly Twitter), Gauff’s comments sparked a viral surge of support. Hashtags like #PrimeTimeForGauff and #EqualSpotlight began trending among tennis fans and sports equity advocates alike.
Many fans pointed out that her matches routinely feature sold-out stadiums, long rallies, and emotional intensity—everything a night session should deliver.
One fan wrote: “Gauff vs Sabalenka at night would break records. Why are we still pretending this is a debate?”
Another posted: “Coco is everything this sport needs. Give her the damn spotlight.”
When the people speak this loudly, organizers would be wise to listen.
The Ripple Effect: Will Other Players Follow?
Historically, many players have avoided speaking on scheduling to maintain diplomatic relationships with organizers. But Gauff’s courage may inspire a shift. If others—like Swiatek, Sabalenka, or Jabeur—begin to echo her sentiments, the ATP-WTA balance in Grand Slam exposure could start to correct itself.
It’s a classic case of courage breeding courage. And in a sport often defined by individualism, this could lead to collective change.
Looking Ahead: What Coco Gauff Is Really Asking For
At its core, Gauff’s message isn’t about her. It’s about fairness. It’s about changing a system that still clings to tradition, even when it no longer reflects reality.
She’s not demanding favoritism. She’s demanding recognition.
Recognition for a generation of women who train just as hard, play just as well, and deliver just as much drama and excellence as their male counterparts. Recognition for fans who want to see the best matchups in the best slots. Recognition for a sport that can only grow by embracing the power of its women.
Final Rally: Coco’s Fight Is Our Fight
Coco Gauff is already a Grand Slam champion, a cultural icon, and a voice for the future. Her stance at the French Open proves she’s also a disruptor, a boundary-breaker, and an agent of long-overdue change.
This moment isn’t just about Coco. It’s about every little girl watching tennis with dreams of stadium lights, headline matches, and respect.
So when Gauff steps onto the clay this year, know this: it’s not just her backhand making waves. It’s her belief—in herself, in her worth, and in the future of the sport.
And that? That belongs in prime time.
