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Women’s tennis has less ‘appeal’ than men’s, says new French Open director — and former player — Amelie Mauresmo

PARIS — Amelie Mauresmo, a former No. 1 player who is in her first year as the French Open’s first female tournament director, said Wednesday that nine of the 10 night sessions at Roland Garros involved men’s matches because women’s tennis currently has less “appeal.”Speaking at the traditional second-week news conference to recap the clay-court Grand Slam tournament, Mauresmo said she tried on a daily basis to find a women’s pairing that had the star power or a matchup worthy of being highlighted in the separate session that began at 8:45 p.m. local time in Court Philippe Chatrier.Advertisement“I admit it was tough,” said Mauresmo, a 42-year-old from France who first topped the WTA rankings in 2004 and returned to that spot after winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2006.Her last major tournament was the 2009 U.S. Open. After retiring as a player, Mauresmo moved into coaching and worked with Andy Murray, Lucas Pouille and Marion Bartoli, among others, and was France’s captain for the team competition now called the Billie Jean King Cup.AdvertisementThis year’s French Open began on May 22 and will end on Sunday. The last of the 10 night sessions was scheduled for Wednesday, and the only women’s match that got the prime-time treatment — part of a deal with a streaming service — was France’s Alizé Cornet’s victory over Jelena Ostapenko in the second round.Asked about that decision-making process, Mauresmo said in French that having just one match in each night session made it “more difficult to have” that be only a women’s match. Night sessions at the U.S. Open, for example, usually include one women’s match and one men’s match.“In this era that we are in right now, I don’t feel — and as a woman, former women’s player, I don’t feel bad or unfair saying that, right now — you have more … appeal,” Mauresmo said. “That’s the general (reasons) for the men’s matches.”She added: “My goal was, when I was doing the schedule every day, to try and see, from the first round, when the draw came out … ‘what match in the woman’s draw can I put there?’ honestly.”Her session with reporters was held the morning after 13-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal’s 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (4) quarterfinal victory over defending champion Novak Djokovic in Tuesday’s night session. The match lasted 4 hours, 12 minutes and finished after 1 a.m. on Wednesday, leaving some of the 15,000 or so spectators unable to use public transportation to get home.“That’s actually a key issue that needs to be settled, and that will be one of our priorities in the future,” Mauresmo said. “We haven’t planned anything yet, but obviously we need to organize ourselves differently with the Department of Transport of Paris with bus systems, with the underground system. If we continue with these night sessions in this direction, people need to leave the stadium late enough and make sure that they have a way to come back home, as they should.”Nadal, through the media, and his manager, Carlos Costa, directly with Mauresmo, made clear the owner of 21 Grand Slam titles preferred not to play at night, because of the way the cooler temperatures affect his shots. It dropped below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 Celsius) during his quarterfinal.Asked about that, Mauresmo deflected the question and replied: “Rafa has shown us how big a champion he is, far and beyond all these considerations.”

Sports

20-29 record aside, the Chicago Cubs enter June with a feeling of optimism. Here are 5 reasons why.

The arrival of June means two things for the Chicago Cubs.It’s two months until the trade deadline — and four months until the end of the season.AdvertisementBut despite a 20-29 record and the fact they trail the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers by 11 games entering the month, the Cubs haven’t reverted to lovable loser status in Chicago just yet.The clubhouse is upbeat. Rookie Christopher Morel has added life to the lineup. And Cubs fans seem OK knowing the team is rebuilding in ‘22 but capable of winning a fun game like Tuesday’s wild, 8-7 comeback victory over the Brewers.Advertisement“Anytime you can get a win, it’s much better than a loss,” starter Justin Steele said postgame in an apparent bid to get an Obvious Shirts slogan.Here’s what we know — and don’t — so far about the 2022 Cubs.Willson Contreras runs the bases after hitting a solo-homer during the first inning against the Brewers at Wrigley Field on May 31, 2022. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)The veteran catcher and two-time All-Star is entering his walk year in free agency. He has a career high .907 OPS and .155 OPS+ (on-base plus slugging adjusted to the player’s ballpark).Is Contreras having a better season than his All-Star years in 2018 and ‘19?“It feels like it’s very similar,” he said Tuesday night. “But we’ve got a whole different team and I’m trying to battle with these guys on this ship.”Willson passed his brother, William, in home runs by hitting No. 8 in the first inning vs. the Brewers Tuesday. William Contreras also is off to a great start with the Atlanta Braves, with a 1.053 OPS in 18 games.[ [Don’t miss] Willson Contreras’ hot start for the Chicago Cubs is rooted in his approach: ‘One of the most talented hitters I’ve ever been around’ ]“I saw that on the scoreboard,” Willson said of the brotherly battle for supremacy. “Inside it makes me laugh because he makes me proud. We’ve come a long way.”The Contreras brothers are 1-2 in home runs by catchers. They could potentially join each other at the All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium, with Willson as a probable National League starter and William as a reserve.AdvertisementChristopher Morel puts on his Cubs hat before playing the Brewers at Wrigley Field on May 31, 2022. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)Have the Cubs finally found a leadoff man to replace Fowler, five years after his departure?Morel has relished the role of sparkplug at the top of the Cubs lineup since being called up from Double-A Tennessee.“Nothing but amazing,” Contreras said of Morel. “He got called up and he’s really comfortable. He’s being himself, which is huge for us. He’s not afraid of failing. Batting behind him, I have to be ready because once I get to the on-deck circle, he’s already swinging.“He’s getting on base, has great at-bats and doesn’t give anything away.”Manager David Ross compared Morel’s energy to the kind provided by Báez, who was dealt to the New York Mets in last summer’s sell-off. After hitting a triple in the sixth inning Tuesday, Morel distracted Brewers pitcher Trevor Kelley by repeatedly faking a steal of home. Kelley then served up a long, run-scoring double to Contreras.[ [Don’t miss] Column: Rookie Christopher Morel is here to stay for the Chicago Cubs, so what does that mean for Jason Heyward? ]“He’s playing the game with a lot of passion, almost that same ‘playing with your hair on fire (attitude),’” Ross said of the comparison to Báez. “But he’s calm in the box, taking his walks.”AdvertisementContreras agreed with Ross, though he noted the two players are “different people.” Báez was more reserved and serious, while Morel is a free spirit whose smile is the first thing you notice when he enters a room.Morel broke Contreras’ club record for reaching base at the start of his MLB career — it’s at 14 games and counting entering Wednesday’s game.Keegan Thompson starts for the Cubs against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 28, 2022. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)While Thompson figures to join the rotation full-time at some point, the Cubs are fine using him in a hybrid role early in the season. Thompson posted a 1.58 ERA through May, one of six National League pitchers with an ERA under 2.00 while throwing 40 or more innings.So what is his preferred role?“I don’t know if I’ve really been a reliever or starter,” he said. “I’ve been more of an innings eater guy.”There is no separate category for “innings eater guy,” though if a new category of “IEG” was invented by stats nerds, Thompson would be among the leaders.Advertisement[ [Don’t miss] From Division II and an adult rec league, Matt Swarmer achieves his MLB dream with the Chicago Cubs: ‘My adrenaline was pumping’ ]Does he expect to be a starter this season?“We’ll see,” he said knowingly. “I don’t know.”He probably knows, but doesn’t care right now as long as he gets the ball. Thompson said he only needs a day or two’s notice if Ross wants to start him, like Saturday against the White Sox.“I know I’m going to throw anyway, whether it’s 3-4 innings out of the bullpen or four or five as a starter if I can get stretched out,” Thompson said. “I prepare for a start like I’m getting a call out of the bullpen.”Nick Madrigal (1) celebrates with P.J. Higgins after Higgins hit a two-run homer during the sixth inning against the Brewers at Wrigley Field on May 31, 2022. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)The second baseman didn’t play for the Cubs last summer after undergoing hamstring surgery with the White Sox. And he had a poor offensive start this season before another IL stint with lower back issues. He said the Cubs staff couldn’t figure out why his back wasn’t originally responding to exercises and soft tissue treatment, but now his range of motion has returned.Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.“I feel like physically, mentally I’m ready to get back on the field,” Madrigal said. “It was tough sitting in the dugout.”Advertisement[ [Don’t miss] Analysis: Jed Hoyer and the Chicago Cubs must learn from mistakes to build the franchise’s next title contender ]Madrigal is hitting .210 after averaging .317 in two seasons with the White Sox. He’s also struck out 14 times after fanning just 17 times in 200 at-bats last season. The back issues could be been a factor, but he’s not using that as an excuse.Madrigal needs to be the player he was on the South Side to remain the Cubs’ full-time starter at second base. Morel also can play the position, though he’s more valuable as the starting center fielder.Patrick Wisdom walks to the dugout after the Cubs beat the Brewers at Wrigley Field on May 31, 2022. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)Tuesday’s win over the Brewers on Patrick Wisdom’s eighth-inning home run was only the Cubs’ fifth in 18 one-run games. That’s not good. The Cubs also are 0-24 when trailing entering the seventh inning, meaning they haven’t learned the art of the comeback.If they hope to be respectable the remainder of the season, the Cubs need to change direction in both categories.[ [Don’t miss] Marcus Stroman’s best start ‘by far’ goes to waste as the right-hander closes out an impressive month for Chicago Cubs ]“The fact we’re in it means we are good enough to compete there,” Ross said of Tuesday’s win. “We’ve just got to figure out a way to win.”No one gets a ring for being “good enough to compete,” so the Cubs have a ways to go still.

Sports

The Chicago White Sox showed mild improvement in May. They enter June facing a new test with Tim Anderson on the IL.

Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa was taught to divide a season into thirds.“April/May, June/July, August/September,” he said Saturday. “You like to survive (early), at least hang in there, which we have.”AdvertisementThe Sox are 23-24 after dropping Tuesday’s series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 at Rogers Centre.After going 8-12 in April, the Sox were 15-12 in May. The month featured a stretch of 17 games in 17 days from May 6-22, including doubleheaders against the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees.Advertisement“Just played the (Boston) Red Sox and Yankees (during the month) and went 7-6,” La Russa said. “That’s a good sign. It means, like last year, we are playing with what we’ve got and we’ve got help coming.”Prior to tonight’s series opener at Toronto, the #WhiteSox placed All-Star shortstop Tim Anderson on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to May 30) with a strained right groin and reinstated outfielder Luis Robert from the Covid-19 Related injury list.— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 31, 2022

The Sox reinstated center fielder Luis Robert from the COVID-19-related injured list Tuesday, but he wasn’t in the starting lineup.Left fielder Eloy Jiménez and starting pitcher Lance Lynn are on rehab assignments with Triple-A Charlotte, although Jiménez left his first game Saturday with right leg soreness and is day to day.But now the Sox face another major challenge without star shortstop Tim Anderson, who was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained right groin. The move is retroactive to Monday, and La Russa told reporters in Toronto that Anderson could be out for three weeks.Anderson, who suffered the injury Sunday against the Cubs, leads the Sox in batting average (.356), on-base percentage (.393), slugging (.503), hits (58), stolen bases (8) and runs (24).Through Monday, the Sox had seen their team batting average improve in May, hitting .249 for the month after a .212 average in April. But they ranked 11th in the American League in May in runs (103) and were 13th in walks (67).[ [Don’t miss] Dylan Cease and Kendall Graveman won’t travel with the White Sox to Toronto, which requires visitors to be vaccinated ]“We’ve seen this group for a while now and we know the type of at-bats they’re capable of putting together,” Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Saturday. “We’ve seen games in the last week where we’ve had a more patient approach and sit on balls out of the zone and taken our walks, and as a result damage followed. That’s more of who we are.“It’s understandable when, for whatever variety of reasons — the spring, weird start — guys start pressing a little bit when they see the numbers a little below what they’re accustomed to seeing. The guys on a whole taking a step back and stringing together good at-bats they’re capable of doing will rectify any offensive shortcomings we’ve had, and the numbers will follow.Advertisement“Occasionally you need to tip your cap to the pitcher sometimes, but we know this offense is capable of more and we’ve seen it over the last few seasons.”White Sox third baseman Yoán Moncada lays down his gear after striking out against the Yankees on Friday, May 13, 2022, at Guaranteed Rate Field. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)Third baseman Yoán Moncada (.133 average in 15 games in May), catcher Yasmani Grandal (.169/.303/.205 slash line for the month) and outfielder AJ Pollock (.212/.244/.341 for the month) are among the established players striving for consistency. First baseman José Abreu slashed .250/.342/.427 in May with an eight-game hitting streak entering Tuesday.Moncada has been limited recently with what Hahn said is a quadriceps injury. Moncada last started May 25 and appeared as a pinch hitter Sunday.“Rough spring (with a right oblique strain), then the rehab assignment he sort of took his time getting his rhythm,” Hahn said Saturday. “When he first got here, he looked sort of like 2019 Yoán, which was obviously an extremely productive offensive player. I don’t know if it was issues with the leg that slowed him down, but he’s a little out of sorts.“It’s in there. We’ve seen it in stretches. Let’s get him healthy and get him going.”[ [Don’t miss] Column: White Sox fans still seeking a reason to believe in this team — and its manager ]Injuries continue to be a theme this season.AdvertisementThe bullpen was briefly at full strength until Joe Kelly suffered a strained left hamstring May 25. He’s on the 15-day IL.The Sox hope Lynn’s return will give the rotation a boost. He made the first of possibly three rehab starts Sunday.The rotation has gone through some changes with the Sox designating Dallas Keuchel for assignment. May also saw the addition of Johnny Cueto and the return of Michael Kopech from the paternity leave list to pitch seven shutout innings against the Yankees.White Sox starter Michael Kopech pitches against the Yankees on May 22, 2022, in New York. (John Minchillo/AP)Kopech allowed one hit and retired the first 17 batters in the second game of the May 22 doubleheader before Rob Brantly broke up the perfect game with a two-out double in the sixth. Kopech is slated to start Wednesday and Cueto on Thursday in Toronto.The Blue Jays series begins a tough stretch that includes three games at Tampa Bay (Friday-Sunday) and three against the Los Angeles Dodgers (June 7-9).June and July tend to be “the most demanding (months of the season) for a lot of reasons,” La Russa said. “Guys have to gear up for the toughness of it.”