An ancient tennis debate roared to the front of the French Open scene once again as Coco Gauff won the women’s singles titles, as people arguing on social media about the length of sets females play at Roland Garros – including Serena Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian.
Gauff defeated Aryna Sabalenka two sets to one on Saturday, June 7 to claim the prize just one day before Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner stretched to an epic five hours and 29 minutes in a five-set classic, setting a record as the longest Roland Garros final in history.
Subsequently, online talk was not focused on the achievements of these athletes but centered around the legitimacy of women’s tennis in comparison to men’s, due to the difference in match formats as Gauff was not required to win three sets for victory.
One user posted to X.com, formerly Twitter, “Unfortunately, I believe women’s tennis will difficulty ever be seen as equal if they don’t play best-of-5 sets.
“There’s just no way you can mediatically compete with this in the eyes of the average spectator.”
The comment struck a nerve, particularly with Ohanian who married the 23-time Grand Slam winner in 2017 and has been privy to the demands and struggles in her quest to become one of the greatest athletes of all-time.
“As someone who discovered tennis through the women’s game,” Ohanian responded. “I fell in love with the drama of every point mattering.
When I finally watched a men’s match, I was confused. Five sets? It made the early games feel like warm-up acts instead of high-stakes battle.
“The tension was diluted, not heightened.”
The difference in match formats between the ATP and WTA, has long been a point of contention. Some argue it undercuts the perceived endurance and capability of female players.
Others believe it suits the WTA’s faster, high-stakes pacing and even Amelie Mauresmo, French Open Tournament Director and former WTA star, has previously expressed support for extending women’s Grand Slam finals to five sets.
Yet despite such endorsements, change has yet to materialize. The WTA remains rooted in its traditional format, and for now, so does the debate.
Ohanian backs women’s sports in Europe
Meanwhile, Ohanian continues to show that advocacy goes beyond words. In addition to defending the WTA, he’s investing heavily in women’s sports. His involvement began in 2020 as a founding investor in Angel City FC, an NWSL team in Los Angeles.
And even in June 2025, he announced a new venture: becoming a minority owner and board member of Chelsea FC Women – one of England’s most respected and successful female soccer teams.
I’ve bet big on women’s sports before-as the founding control owner of @weareangelcity-and I’m doing it again,” Ohanian announced. “I’m honored for the chance to help this iconic club become America’s favorite @barclayswsl team and much, much more.”
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