Tennis’ world No. 1 Iga Swiatek calls for prize money equality
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Iga Swiatek during her final match against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix tournament.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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MADRID – World No. 1 Iga Swiatek on Wednesday called for prize money equality between WTA and ATP events, saying that women’s tennis is now more consistent than men’s.
The reigning French Open and US Open champion is preparing to compete at the Madrid Open on Friday after retaining her Stuttgart title last Sunday, defeating world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
She won a little more than €100,000 (S$147,000), which some contrasted to Carlos Alcaraz’s €477,800 haul for triumphing at the Barcelona Open.
“I think (tennis) is better than most sports, but still there is a lot we can work on in terms of, you know, getting equal prize money on some WTA tournaments compared to ATP on the same level,” the Pole said.
“Grand Slams are already even, as we know. That’s nice, but for sure it would be good if WTA would focus on that, but I don’t really want to get into that, because it’s a lot of business and sometimes politics.
“I don’t think I have a lot of influence. I just can say that it would be nice for our sport if it was equal, especially because we kind of do the same work.”
The top seed in Madrid added that the women’s game can create even higher emotions than the men’s now.
“I get people who are saying that men’s tennis is nicer to watch and guys can do more because they are physically and biologically stronger,” said Swiatek.
“But I also think there were a lot of people, for example a couple of years ago, who were saying that (the women’s game is) not consistent. But, right now, we are even more consistent than the guys with our game.
“Watching women’s tennis gives the same emotions, and sometimes even like more emotions, because we are women and we are a little bit more emotional.
“But, yeah, it would be nice if WTA could make it even.”
In 1973, the US Open became the first Grand Slam event to pay men and women’s players equal prize money.
It was followed by the Australian Open in 2001, before the French Open and Wimbledon also decided to do so in 2007.
Focusing her thoughts on Madrid where she will face Austrian “lucky loser” Julia Grabher, Swiatek said she would have to get used to playing at a higher altitude.
“I feel like the (balls) are more like flying bullets, you have to control them – and the clay is a little bit different, the movement and stuff, I just have to get used to it,” she added.
One player who got off to a flying start is Russian Mirra Andreeva, who became the third 15-year-old to win a main-draw match at a WTA 1000 event by stunning 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez 6-3, 6-4 in the opening round on Wednesday.
She emulated the achievement of Coco Gauff in 2019 and CiCi Bellis in 2015, both in Miami.
“It was really tough match for me and I just tried to give my best and to play every point. I’m extremely happy with my level today,” said the world No. 194.
Andreeva also said she had needed time to recover from her defeat in the Australian Open girls’ final in January, when she lost the match to compatriot Alina Korneeva after winning the first set.
“My coach said to me after maybe five years you will not even remember that you played the Australian Open final or against who. It kind of helped me a little bit.
“Still, I remember it and it hurts but, now, it’s in the past,” she said.
On Thursday, she followed up the feat by ousting 14th ranked Beatriz Haddad Maia 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 to become the seventh player since 2000 to defeat a top-20 opponent before the age of 16.
She will next face either Marketa Vondrousova or Magda Linette for a place in the last 16.
In the men’s draw, 2020 US Open winner Dominic Thiem overcame Britain’s Kyle Edmund 6-4, 6-1 and will next face No. 4 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas. AFP, REUTERS
