French Open delivers shocks: Gauff and Swiatek out, women's matches overlooked

The French Open has seen significant upsets in its women's draw, with defending champion Coco Gauff exiting in the third round after a three-set loss to Anastasia Potapova on May 30, 2026. Four-time champion Iga Swiatek also faced a surprising defeat on her 25th birthday, falling to Marta Kostyuk in straight sets during the fourth round on May 31, 2026. These early eliminations have created a wide-open field in the tournament.

Meanwhile, the tournament continues to draw criticism regarding the scarcity of women's matches scheduled for prime night sessions. The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has formally addressed this imbalance with French Open organizers, highlighting that only a handful of women's matches have been featured in these coveted slots since their introduction in 2021. Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo has previously attributed this to concerns that women's matches, often shorter, might not provide adequate value for night session ticket holders. However, a shift is underway, as a women's match between Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka is slated for a night session on June 1, marking the first such scheduling in three years.