Income disparities have cast a long shadow over the sports arena, sparking heated debates and earnest calls for change. Activists and pundits have tirelessly advocated for reducing gender inequalities, highlighting the myriad factors that perpetuate them. Lately, tennis legend and equality advocate Billie Jean King added her powerful voice to the chorus. 

The former American Tennis player Billie took to her Instagram account on Wednesday and shared a graph highlighting the gender disparities between male and female athletes. The disparity is not just a few hundred or thousands, but several million dollars. This disparity did not resonate well with King, who quickly took a sarcastic jibe. 

Notably, the graph shows the highest-paid athlete in the world and portrays the disparity when female tennis players were compared with male players of other sports. The first name on the graph was that of Soccer sensation Cristiano Ronaldo, whose payment stood at $260M. The closest contender to him from the world of Women’s tennis was Iga Swiatek, who earns just $23.9 Million. 

The scenario was no different compared to Argentine soccer legend Lionel Messi and American tennis star Coco Gauff. While Messi earns a whooping $135 Million, Coco only gets $21.7 Million. The combined disparity just for Coco and Iga stood close to $350 million. The fate was similar when other tennis stars like Emma Raducanu and Naomi Osaka were compared with basketball players Lebron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo, respectively. Billie took a sarcastic jibe at the figures and wrote, “So much more work to do.”

While the income disparity highlights the condition of Women Tennis players compared to male athletes of other sports, the discrimination within the Tennis world is no less. Recently, the French Open organizers were accused of gender disparity when they failed to keep even one of the eleven prime-time matches for women.

The former world no.1 has always voiced herself to bring equality in men’s and women’s sports. While her efforts continued, she faced similar discrimination. The now 80-year-old, however, did not give up!

Billie Jean King and the renowned ‘Battle of Sexes’

On the evening of September 20, 1973, the Houston Astrodome atmosphere was electric as over 30,400 spectators gathered to witness a must-see event: the iconic “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match between 29-year-old Billie Jean King and 55-year-old Bobby Riggs. This wasn’t just another tennis match. It was a spectacle that captured international attention!

As the match progressed, the World witnessed Billie stunning Bobby Riggs. Last year it marked the 50th anniversary of her triumph. She stated, “It gave women self-confidence to ask for what they want and need. Because we’re taught not to.”

For the unversed, Billie Jean was a victim of gender disparity at the tender age of 12. King was then banned from a group photo of junior tennis players. It was just because she wore tennis shorts instead of the traditional skirts. 

As the battle for a more fair and equal atmosphere continues, not much difference can be seen especially in terms of income. In such a scenario, more voices need to come out in unison and demand justice.