“Y’all are never seeing heaven for this,” WTA criticised by fans over prize money following Iga Swiatek and Barbora Krejcikova’s finals in Ostrava

“Y’all are never seeing heaven for this,” WTA criticised by fans over prize money following Iga Swiatek and Barbora Krejcikova’s finals in Ostrava

WTA Chief Steve Simon, Barbora Krejcikova, Iga Swiatek

Iga Swiatek and Barbora Krejcikova played out a thriller of a final at the 2022 Ostrava Open on 9th October. Krejcikova came from a set down to defeat the Pole who saved five championship points before Krejcikova found her way to the title in front of her home crowd.

While the finals and quality were of the highest standard, the prize money on offer was not. With the winner taking home $116,341, fans expressed their anger by comparing the prize money for the same category event on the ATP Tour which was $365,275 given to Taylor Fritz, the winner of the 2022 Japan Open.

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“Not a reason to brag,” Fans upset with the board after Barbora Krejcikova and Iga Swiatek’s finals

Barbora Krejcikova and Iga Swiatek - IMAGO / CTK Photo
Barbora Krejcikova and Iga Swiatek – IMAGO / CTK Photo

The prize money has always remained a long ongoing debate. With the WTA paying significantly less to its players as compared to the ATP Tour, financial equality for women players has been being fought for over decades but no big change has been noticed on the Tour.

While the Grand Slams hand out equal checks for the players, the same concept has not been materialised for the Tour events. One argument that has gone against is always the audience that is brought by the ATP Tour as compared to the WTA Tour but even then, the difference is massive to be justified.

Even at tournaments running simultaneously, there remains a big difference in the money offered. Changes have been however seen in the early rounds and qualifiers in order to look after the low-ranked players, nevertheless, the winners of the events are still underpaid and the fans made sure they spoke against it.

While Krejcikova and others have not made any comments so far, fans did speak in support of the players. Swiatek, the current world no. 1 has complained about the WTA management on various issues such as the handling of Ukraine issue and scheduling clashes but to no avail.

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