By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday June 6, 2021
Victoria Azarenka and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova squared off as rivals on Day 8 at Roland Garros, with the Russian coming through with the three set victory.
After their round of 16 clash both had things to say about equality between the men and the women at Roland-Garros.
Azarenka says it is more than prize money that matters in the debate.
“What concerns me is when somebody from French Federation is continually trying to say there is equality, and only pointing out to prize money, which is true,” Azarenka said. “Everything else, I wouldn't even agree for a little with that. And that's disappointing.”
The Belarusian seemed frustrated with the lack of change at Roland-Garros, and the fact that six of the first seven night sessions—deemed as the “match of the day” by organizers—were men’s matches.
“I think there is enough examples over the years where we've heard remarks towards women, where we've seen two women's semifinal matches playing on the outside courts,” she said, referring to an odd scheduling mishap in 2019 that saw both women’s semi-finals moved to outer courts when the tournament was adversely affected by inclement weather.
“I mean, you guys, if you follow tennis, you know what I'm talking about. I think there is no surprises that I can reveal here. I think sometimes you need to hold some people accountable for some of those things and not continuously point out to the obvious of prize money.”
Ideally, Azarenka said she didn’t want to point fingers. She just wants to ensure that all players’ voices are heard.
“I would like to have players' voices heard more and I would like players to take responsibility as well for our part of the job and helping and working together with organizations. I think that's where it can work best, when we work together and find solutions. That's really my, I would say, ideal view and ideal approach.”
Pavlyuchenkova, who will face Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals, knows of Azarenka’s struggle, as a fellow member of the player council for a spell. But the Russian says she prefers to focus on her tennis at the moment.
“We both had those conversations,” she said. “We were sitting with her at the same table arguing with the tournament directors, Wimbledon, Roland Garros. I accept it that we will probably never really be sort of equal in terms of television and popularity maybe.
“I don't know if I should really waste my energy and time fighting over this because right now, I mean, I'm doing my job, I want to win matches. And I really don't mind, honestly with you, if I play on Court 2 or Philippe Chatrier. In the end of the day what I want is to win the tournament and play good. I don't feel like wasting and talking about this. Yeah, that's my opinion.”