Tennis great's call to Serena Williams over 'disgraceful' farce
Tennis great Pam Shriver has called for icons Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Billie Jean King to band together and buy the Italian Open following some outrage regarding the prize money for women.
World No.1 Iga Swiatek continued her mercurial streak to take out the Italian Open in style having won her previous four tournaments in the lead-up to Rome.
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Swiatek won $482,000 for her ATP 1000 win at the Italian Open.
However, fans became frustrated to learn that the orld No.1 would pick up less prize money than men's runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Tsitsipas won $683,000 for coming second in Rome.
Winner Novak Djokovic pocketed a whopping $1.25 million, up 241 per cent from 2021, for his efforts.
The disparity between the pay caused many to take to social media and blast the tournament.
Rome comes to a close. Brilliant tournament, great champions.
Final note, for now, on prize money.
Iga Swiatek won the WTA 1000 title and got €322,260.
Couple of hours later, same court:
Stefanos Tsitsipas lost the ATP 1000 final and got €456,720.
(I know all the excuses)— David Law (@DavidLawTennis) May 15, 2022
And following the uproar, tennis great Pam Shriver called to arms a number of the sport's biggest names to band together and take action.
Shriver urged Martina Navratilova, the Williams sisters, King and a number of other tennis greats to 'put a female tournament director' in place in Rome to ensure equal prize money.
It’s time to get a former @WTA player syndicate together (MN, CE, BJK, MS, SW, VW, KC,LD…) and buy the women’s Italian Open tournament, put a female tournament director in place and either it stays in Rome with equal prize money or find a new city. @SerenaVentures let’s do this!
— Pam Shriver (@PHShriver) May 17, 2022
Navratilova praised Shriver's idea and said she would be on board.
Previously, Navratilova hit out at Rome for the difference in prize money between the men and women.
A great idea- yes please! https://t.co/le9eUnc8OS
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) May 17, 2022
The prize money in Rome stinks! Whatever happened to equal money in combined events?!? https://t.co/dYyEB3aqKs
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) May 8, 2022
All grand slams have the same prize money for women and men, however ATP and WTA events do vary in prize money.
The difference in pay caused an almighty stir with fans and commentators taking to social media to discuss the drama.
First, I’d have followed through with the suggestions of Federer, Nadal and what felt like the entire tennis world two years ago and sought to merge the tours. 2nd, I wouldn’t have rebranded WTA 1000’s to look identical to ATP 1000’s unless Rome and other combineds paid equally.
— David Law (@DavidLawTennis) May 16, 2022
3: Not sure I agree. Sport is entertainment. I don't expect to get paid as much as a top 50 singles player because less people find me entertaining.
We can and should set precedents for gender equality but it also has to be merit based to some degree or where do we stop?— Marcus Daniell OLY (@MarcusDaniell) May 16, 2022
@InteBNLdItalia it is so disgraceful how you discriminate against women tennis players. Tsitsipas losing the final got more in the prize money than Światek winning the tournament.
— Marcin (@Marcin42500652) May 16, 2022
You should be ashamed of even mentioning the prize money.. the disparity is embarrassing and disrespectful #dobetter
— Shikha Raturi (@shikharaturi) May 15, 2022
Serena Williams hints at comeback at Wimbledon
In further news, Williams hinted at a return to competition at Wimbledon.
The 23-time grand slam champion hasn't played since last year's SW19.
Williams posted a video to her social media account of her back in training ahead of the grass court season.
Williams has taken time away from the game since her injury in the first round of Wimbledon last year.
The 40-year-old will be looking to win her eighth Wimbledon title and equal Margaret Court's record of 24 grand slam titles.
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