Former world No 3 Nikolay Davydenko has controversially slammed equal prize money at Grand Slam tournaments as “unfair” to male players.
Equal prize money has long been a talking point in tennis, and the Grand Slam events – the four biggest tournaments in tennis – now all pay male and female singles players equally.
The US Open became the first Slam to introduce equal prize money in 1973, followed by the Australian Open in 1984, and the French Open and Wimbledon in 2007.
The likes of Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova have spearheaded calls for equal prize money at all levels, with Andy Murray among the leading ATP backers.
Controversy remains around the prize money handed out at lower-level events, though the Slams have been consistent in their equality for the best part of two decades.
However, not everyone is supportive of this decision.
In a recen interview with Match TV, former world No 3 Davydenko claimed while it was “possible” at smaller events, equal prize money was “unfair” at the four majors.
He said: “In the 250, 500, 1000 category tournaments, it’s possible.
“But when you talk about Grand Slam tournaments… You don’t play five-set matches. Serena Williams won the Grand Slams, losing only 10 games in the tournament. She won 6–0, 6–1, 6–2 without even breaking a sweat or feeling stressed.
Tennis News
Iga Swiatek urged to ask Jannik Sinner for doping saga advice by former No 1
Andre Agassi gives his verdict on Novak Djokovic hiring Andy Murray
“And men lose 10 games in the first match alone, you have to fight. Sometimes you play a five-setter in the first round and then you lose.
“Male tennis players work three times harder than female tennis players, especially in Grand Slam tournaments. So it’s unfair to pay them equally.”
The comments from Davydenko, a former Grand Slam semi-finalist and ATP Finals champion, will likely stoke some controversy and debate.
However, it seems highly implausible that tennis will change its prize money levels at the majors, especially considering there is a push to level up earnings at all levels in the coming years.
Grand Slam prize money in 2024
This was the 18th straight season where the men’s and women’s singles winners were awarded equal prize money at all four majors.
The most profitable Grand Slam was the US Open, where Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka picked up an eye-watering $3,600,000 for their respective triumphs.
Carlos Alcaraz and Barbora Krejcikova won £2,700,000 for their triumphs at Wimbledon, while Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek were handed €2,400,000 for their Roland Garros victories.
Meanwhile, Sinner and Sabalenka were awarded $3,150,000 (AUS) for their victories at the Australian Open.
Grand Slam prize money has consistently increased year-on-year in recent seasons, and more big prize money packages can be expected in 2025.
2024-12-13 15:14:24