Ons Jabeur, the world’s seventh-ranked tennis player, has expressed her frustration over the disparity in prize money being offered to female players at the Italian Open. While the four Grand Slams offer equal prize money to both male and female players, WTA Tour events often offer less to female players than their male counterparts. At the Rome tournament, the men are being offered a total financial commitment of $9.51 million, while women are being offered just $3.5 million. Italian tennis federation chief Angelo Binaghi announced last month that the event had started a process that would lead to equal prize money in three years, but Jabeur has called for immediate change.
Slow progress towards pay equity
WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon has stated that the organization is working towards achieving pay equity at its top events. While progress is being made towards this goal, there is still a long way to go. The Indian Wells, Miami, and Madrid tournaments offer equal pay for both male and female players but are listed as mandatory tournaments for players. Paula Badosa, a Spanish tennis player, has joined Jabeur in calling for equal pay at the Italian Open, questioning why the prize money is not equal already. The draw for both men and women’s events at the Italian Open features 128 players, with both events being played in best-of-three set matches.
Female tennis players are calling for equal pay at the Italian Open. Ons Jabeur, the world’s seventh-ranked player, has expressed her frustration over the disparity in prize money being offered to female players at the event. While the four Grand Slams offer equal prize money to both male and female players, WTA Tour events often offer less to female players than their male counterparts. The men are being offered a total financial commitment of $9.51 million, while women are being offered just $3.5 million. Italian tennis federation chief Angelo Binaghi announced last month that the event had started a process that would lead to equal prize money in three years, but Jabeur has called for immediate change.
WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon has stated that the organization is working towards achieving pay equity at its top events. While progress is being made towards this goal, there is still a long way to go. The Indian Wells, Miami, and Madrid tournaments offer equal pay for both male and female players but are listed as mandatory tournaments for players. Paula Badosa, a Spanish tennis player, has joined Jabeur in calling for equal pay at the Italian Open, questioning why the prize money is not equal already. The draw for both men and women’s events at the Italian Open features 128 players, with both events being played in best-of-three set matches. Tournament organizers are yet to comment.
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