French Open Sparks Gender Equity Debate
At this year’s French Open, a major controversy ignited when women’s matches were excluded from the prestigious night sessions. Ons Jabeur voiced her frustration, highlighting the inequality: “They don’t show women’s sport, they don’t show women’s tennis, and then they ask the question, yeah, but mostly they (viewers) watch men.” Her statement was quickly supported by fellow stars like Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, and Iga Swiatek.
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Queen’s Club Makes Bold Move for Women’s Tennis
In contrast to Roland Garros, the Queen’s Club Championships in London is making history by bringing back women’s tennis for the first time in over five decades. The tournament, one of the crown jewels in the tennis calendar, will now host a women’s event alongside the traditional men’s matches. Chris Pollard of the LTA expressed his excitement, calling the return “long overdue” and emphasizing the enthusiasm among players for this development.
A 52-Year Gap Finally Closes
The last women’s event at Queen’s Club was held in 1973, when Olga Morozova took the title. Since then, logistical challenges had pushed the women’s competition to Eastbourne. But in 2025, the venue in West Kensington is once again opening its grass courts to top WTA talent. Emma Raducanu, Elena Rybakina, and Madison Keys are among the big names set to compete.
Raducanu’s Homecoming Moment
After defeating Cristina Bucsa 6-1, 6-2, Emma Raducanu spoke about the honor of playing at Queen’s Club: “It’s incredibly special. For us girls to have the tournament here finally, after watching the TV and the men play, is really nice.” The moment holds extra meaning for Raducanu, as she eyes a comeback on home soil just ahead of Wimbledon.
Strong Start on the Grass
Raducanu’s convincing win marked a strong beginning to her grass-court season. She was looking to bounce back after a tough loss to Iga Swiatek in the French Open second round. With grass being one of her favorite surfaces, Raducanu is aiming for a deep run.
Pundits Place Faith in Raducanu’s Rise
Former British tennis star and TNT Sports analyst Tim Henman believes Raducanu has what it takes to climb back to the top. “It’s not about the next four weeks—it’s about the next four years,” he said. Henman emphasized the importance of consistency, good coaching, and long-term planning, urging her to maximize her potential.
Next Challenge: Rebecca Sramkova
Raducanu’s next opponent will be Rebecca Sramkova in the second round. With big names like Sabalenka and Gauff absent from the draw, this tournament presents a prime opportunity for the British star to regain momentum in front of an adoring home crowd.
Eyes Set on Wimbledon
As Wimbledon looms, Raducanu hopes her performances at Queen’s Club will fuel a successful campaign on tennis’s biggest stage. With full fitness, a strong support team, and the crowd behind her, she’s stepping into a defining moment of her career.