“PTPA is the answer, the WTA is doing a terrible job” – Difference of paycheck between Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz for winning WTA-500 and ATP-500 events triggers fans

Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz won WTA 500 event and ATP 500 event respectively. However, the received prize money was different for both the players.

“PTPA is the answer, the WTA is doing a terrible job” – Difference of paycheck between Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz for winning WTA-500 and ATP-500 events triggers fans

Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek (Image Credit: FirstSportz)

The prize money is a controversial issue in the sport. The difference between men and women in terms of earnings is increasing. The prize money awarded to male tennis players far outstrips their female counterparts.

This is evident from the prize money earnings of not just low-ranked tennis players on the ATP and WTA tours respectively, but also the top players. The difference is great and is increasing with every year on the tour.

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Tennis commentator for BBC and co-host of The Tennis Podcast David Law shares an example to illustrate the widening difference between the male and female players at the same level on social media.

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“Barcelona and Stuttgart are two fantastic 500 tournaments. Both put on a great show for big crowds, with packed fields of top players. Tough to see the respective winners’ cheques. Alcaraz – €477,000 Swiatek – €104,000 The sooner we really do see #TennisUnited, the better,” his Twitter caption read.

The winner of the ATP Barcelona Open Carlos Alcaraz received €373,000 ($412,181) more than WTA Stuttgart Open winner Iga Swiatek. The winners got different amounts even though both the Barcelona Open and Porsche Tennis Grand Prix are ATP 500 and WTA 500 competitions, respectively.

Continue Reading: “It’s so unfair,” Denis Shapovalov questions the massive pay disparity between males and female pros on International Women’s Day

Social media is reacting to this situation

Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz (Image Credit: News18)
Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz (Image Credit: News18)

The difference in prize money is a growing concern for legends and critics. Many women tennis players are also demanding a raise in prize money. Billie Jean King and Venus Williams have led a long battle to ensure equal prize money offerings in the Majors.

Billie Jean King threatened to boycott the 1973 US Open. She was the top player, and this threat spooked the organizers. It worked and the US Open became the first Grand Slam tournament to offer equal prize money for both men and women tennis professionals. Subsequently, the Australian Open and the French Open followed suit.

However, Wimbledon was the only Major which was offering unequal pay for both male and female tennis professionals. Venus Williams raised this issue and in 2009, finally, the prize money offered to women became equal.

Hence, now there is equality in terms of prize money for both male and female tennis professionals participating in Grand Slam tournaments. But there is still a disparity in prize money in ATP and WTA tournaments.

Social media is also noting this point. There are few who sympathize with this situation. However, there are also many who believe that the current situation is difficult to address. Some are also providing different solutions to the issue. Here are a few reactions that came in.

https://twitter.com/Trishennaid00/status/1650173481470885888

There are many people on this planet who believe equal pay can be the first step toward equality in the sport for both male and female tennis professionals. However, the path to achieving this equality may be different. Superstar coach Patrick Mouratoglou believes a merger of ATP and WTA can be the only way to ensure that the distribution of prize money between both male and female tennis professionals is equal.

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