Feminine gamers ought to get prime time slots after they play if ladies's tennis is to get a greater viewers, Billie Jean King mentioned on Saturday amid a scheduling controversy on the French Open.
The 12-time singles Grand Slam champion, one of many sport's stars within the Sixties and Nineteen Seventies firstly of the skilled period, backed Roland Garros director Amelie Mauresmo to repair the issue even after Mauresmo mentioned males's tennis was at the moment extra interesting than ladies's tennis.
"It'll keep that manner if we do not have extra matches (at evening)," King informed reporters forward of the French Open ladies's remaining.
"You have to put ladies on prime time and you have to determine it out."
Solely one in all 10 evening matches at this yr's Roland Garros was a ladies's match.
In line with King, two matches needs to be scheduled and begin sooner than the same old 2100 native time to permit an early end for all gamers.
"I believe we must always have two matches an evening and begin early," she mentioned.
ALSO READ | Iga Swiatek wins second French Open title, beats Gauff in straight units
King mentioned she thought that Mauresmo, regardless of her controversial comment, would ring the adjustments. The 2-time Grand Slam champion took over as French Open boss this yr.
"I do not make judgments first yr. I believe she's carried out an awesome job and I believe she'll make some adjustments subsequent yr," the American mentioned.
"I at all times give two to a few years, then I am making judgment. As a result of I believe you bought to grasp the job they've. It is arduous.
"She's in an incredible place of energy. But when (they) maintain treating us like second-class residents we'll keep second-class residents. You wish to make everybody really feel essential."
King insisted that Mauresmo would care for the matter.
"I believe usually we'll care for that subsequent yr. Understanding her. She's a winner."
