The controversy surrounding sexism in tennis has continued in Rome after female players criticised Italian Open organisers for not offering the same prize money as their male counterparts.
Italian tennis federation chief Angelo Binaghi mentioned that the federation had started a process that would lead to equal prize money by 2025. World number seven Ons Jabeur has challenged the organisers by insisting that female players should not have to wait to receive pay parity and called for immediate change.
"I don't see why we have to wait," Jabeur told the New York Times. "It's really frustrating. It's time for change. It's time for the tournament to do better."
The reasons for the varying prize amounts in tennis are complex but essentially come down to the gulf in revenue between the men’s and women’s tours, as well as a minor difference in the status of the tournament.
Prize money is funded through two contributions: from the tournament organisers, raised from tickets, sponsorship and domestic media rights; and from the coffers of the tours. In this regard the ATP (men's tour) has far more funds available, having recorded a record revenue of £140 million in its most recent set of financial figures in 2021. By comparison, the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) posted £70 million in the same year.
The confusing WTA tournament categories also play a role. While the Italian Open is one of nine WTA 1000 events — the tier below the four grand-slams — it is not included in the group of four that are mandatory for players. These events in Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Beijing all offer equal prize money.
For the Italian Open, both men's and women's competitors at the tournament - which is one tier below the majors - play best-of-three set matches and the draw for both events features 128 players. The tournament had a current "financial commitment" of €8.68million for the men while the commitment for the women sat at €3.2million.
Spain's Paula Badosa said she did not understand why there was prize money disparity in Rome, which attracts some of the world's top names.
"I don't know why it's not equal right now," Badosa said. "They don't inform us. They say this is what you get and you have to play."
