“It Could Also Be a Lever to Align the System” – 5-Time Grand Slam Champion Supports Roger Federer’s Idea of Tour Unification
Follow Us
via Imago
Roger Federer
Billie Jean King always advocated for the union of the ATP and WTA. Since she founded the WTA in 1973, she has always said that creating WTA was Plan B. She wanted a unified front in Tennis. And during the pandemic, as tennis stopped, many players and former players thought over this idea. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal are some of the big names that raised the need for unification.
Roger Federer’s Tweet
I agree, and have been saying so since the early 1970s. One voice, women and men together, has long been my vision for tennis.
The WTA on its own was always Plan B.
I’m glad we are on the same page.
Let’s make it happen. #OneVoice
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) April 22, 2020
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The talks for unification wouldn’t have come 10 years ago when the disparity between Women and Men tennis was huge. There was a huge gap in prize money and tournaments favored Men athletes more. But years of struggle have slowly diminished the difference between men’s and women’s tennis. And at least now Women’s have the same prize money as the men.
Trending
‘RIP’ – Heartbroken Brother of John McEnroe Mourns ESPN Legend’s Tragic Death Who Last Tweeted About Coco Gauff
April 21, 2024 02:43 PM EDT
Serena Williams’ Husband Alexis Ohanian Gushes Over Her Pink Attire as Part of Nike’s Latest Endeavor
April 23, 2024 05:55 PM EDT
Darwin Blanch: How Father’s Relentless Efforts for His Brother Ended up Becoming a Boon for Rafael Nadal’s Opponent
April 24, 2024 06:52 PM EDT
Madrid Open 2024: Ugo Humbert vs Botic Van De Zandschulp; Preview, Head-to-Head, Prediction
April 26, 2024 07:18 AM EDT
Do Darwin Blanch’s Siblings Play Tennis? Everything to Know About the Young American’s Power-Packed Family
April 25, 2024 01:54 PM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest Tennis stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
In an interview with Handels Zeitung, Martina Hingis also gave her opinion on the matter. She described it as a positive move. And highlighted that the unification would align the system together, bringing equality.
“I would see it positively. The association would have a stronger position than the tournament organizers. It could also be a lever to align the system and also the prize money.” Hingis said (quotes translated from German using Google Translation)
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
She also acknowledged that the system now is not favoring equal pay. The big tournaments have equal bonuses for men’s and women’s but the smaller tournaments don’t. And if smaller ones have equal pay then they would suffer huge losses with the sudden surge in the budget. So she said that unification will align the system and gradually help in bridging the gaps.
“Women and men receive the same rewards at important tournaments. Aligning them with the small ones could be dangerous because many tournaments would then disappear due to the suddenly larger budget,” she said
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Hingis is the youngest ever Grand Slam champion and the youngest World No.1. And she retired in 2017 after very successful singles and doubles career. And so her call of equality and unification will not go unheard.
Source: Handel Zeitung
Written by:
