Aryna Sabalenka has called for equal pay in tennis after winning the Cincinnati Masters, but Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have previously spoken out against it.
Aryna Sabalenka revived the discussion over equal pay in tennis after winning the Cincinnati Masters, following prior comments from Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
While enjoying a successful 2024 season and entering the US Open with confidence, Sabalenka made news on Monday not just for her on-court achievements, but also for criticizing the continued prize money gap between male and female players following her event victory over Jessica Pegula.
The Belarusian wonder underscored the stark contrast by taking home half of what Jannik Sinner received for his concurrent men’s final victory, with Sabalenka’s $524,730 (£400,000) paled in comparison to Sinner’s $1,049,460 (£775,000).
The 26-year-old raised the issue, saying, “From the TV point of view, from ticket sales, from every point of view, it’s unfair.” Of course, men will always be physically stronger than women, but it does not mean we don’t work as hard. Women deserve equal pay as men.”
With this statement, she contributes to an ongoing discourse about female wage equality in sports, which has already seen opposing viewpoints from heavyweights including as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. The pair have publicly opposed equal pay; in 2016, at Indian Wells, Djokovic said that male players should lobby for higher pay.
The Serbian caused quite a stir with his comments in response to then-tournament CEO Raymond Moore’s controversial claim that women players “ride on the coattails of the men” and should “get on their knees and thank God” for top male stars like Nadal and Federer.
At first, the 37-year-old stated: “I think that our men’s tennis world, ATP world, should fight for more because the stats are showing that we have much more spectators on the men’s tennis matches, I think that’s one of the reasons why maybe we should get awarded more” , but then quickly changed his mind and stated: “I never had an issue with equality in gender or sport or other areas of life.”
His retraction was followed by a passionate apology: “I sincerely apologize if I caused any harm to my female tennis colleagues. I get along really well with all of them. I have enormous regard for all of them.”
Djokovic, who earlier claimed to believe that males deserve higher income in tennis, has subsequently become a proponent of equal prize money and increased salaries for those lower in the rankings, even forming the Professional Tennis Players Association alongside Vasek Pospisil in 2020.
Nadal was another vocal opponent of equal pay in tennis, telling Italian magazine Lo Donna in 2018: “Female models earn more than male models, and nobody says anything. Why? Because they have a bigger fanbase. In tennis, too, whomever attracts a greater audience earns more.”
During a TV interview with La Sexta earlier this year, the Spaniard sent a strong message to the tennis community about gender equality. He argued that both male and female players should be given equal opportunity, but that prize money should represent the revenue they generate: “I don’t want to be disingenuous and say things that are simple to say and that I don’t believe.
“What would you like me to say?” The 22-time major winner believes that women should receive the same level of investment as men. “The opportunities are the same. Are the salaries the same? No, for what? It isn’t unfair; what is unjust is the lack of equal opportunities.
“I have a mom and a sibling. If you tell me that men and women deserve equal opportunities, I’m a feminist. This word has been taken to an extreme. Of course, if we are discussing rational and normal topics in this conversation, I desire equality.”
The legendary tennis star shared his anger with calls for equal prize payouts: “For me, equality isn’t about giving away presents; but, if Serena Williams earns more than I do, I want her to earn more. I want equality; I want women to be paid more than men if they produce more.
“What disturbs me is when individuals claim that income and earnings should be equal. Tennis, for some reason, has almost equal payouts in most competitions since there was an opportunity for women’s tennis to be seen.”