The world number one has advanced to the semi-finals at the French Open and has added her voice to calls for more women's matches to be played during night sessions after her quarter-final win over Zheng Qinwen on Tuesday (03.06.25) was played out in front of swathes of empty seats in Paris.

Sabalenka said: "I definitely think it would make more sense to move our match a little bit later.

"I definitely have to say that we deserve equal treatment. There were a lot of great battles, a lot of great matches, which would be cool to see as the night session with more people in the stands watching these incredible battles.

"And just to show ourselves to more people. I definitely agree that we deserve to be put on a bigger stage, with better timing and more people watching."

However, Sabalenka was grateful for some additional time off as she now faces a blockbuster semi-final clash with Iga Swiatek on Thursday (05.06.25).

The Belarusian player said: "I didn't really look in the crowd, but it felt like it was a lot of people.

"It was a big match and probably would make more sense to put us a little bit later, just so more people could watch it.

"But at the same time, I'm happy to finish earlier as then I have a half day off and I can just enjoy the city and do all the things that I have to do."

Sabalenka says her relationship with Swiatek has grown recently after she asked her rival to feature in a TikTok video with her.

The three-time major champion said: "Before, there was no training, no communication, but now it's improved," she said.

"We get along better. We train together more often. We know each other quite well. We've had some big battles in the past. I'm really looking forward to it because it will be a great match.

"I think everything [in our relationship] started when I just came to her and asked to do [a] TikTok in that [WTA] Finals in Riyadh. We just did a little dance together."