There are competitions that pay both men and women equally, such as the Grand Slams and the top ATP and WTA 1000 challenges. The lower-rung competitions, however, do not follow the same rule. After winning one of the lower tire WTA 250 tournaments, the ASB tournament, 18-year-old Coco Gauff, recently received a different prize money sum than the men’s category. But does that even make a difference for the tennis player?

The 18-year-old is ready to chase her first Grand Slam title after an amazing start to the year by winning the ASB title. The tennis player is all geared up for the Australian Open and to make a name for herself in the major tournaments.

Coco Gauff talks about the prize money difference

The 18-year-old has made a commanding start to the new season by winning the first tournament she participated in this year. And as the $6 million tennis player is in Melbourne, during the pre-tournament Australian Open presser, a question was raised regarding the prize money she received to that of what the men’s champion received in context to her ASB victory. And she was asked about the disparity. 

The world number seven tennis player, who gave a very cool response to the question, said, “To be honest, this is the first time. I don’t pay attention to my prize money, so I had no idea how much I won. It’s nothing something I look for. I mean, I didn’t realize the difference. I mean, yeah, there’s definitely a difference. There’s definitely work that needs to be done, especially at the lower-level tournament, 250s, the 500s, 125s, to kind of make that more even now.” 

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Additionally, she also talked about how she was figuring out to get a flight to Melbourne rather than worrying about the prize money. Not only that, the young sensation is still under her parents’ shadow even after making millions on and off the Tennis Court. 

Gauff parents still pay her bills 

Even after making millions by playing tournaments, endorsements, and other off-shore activities, the 18-year-old tennis sensation is still a little girl to her parents. Last year, when the tennis player was playing, at the San Diego Open, she talked about how her parents take care of all her bills and look up to her financial arrangements. 

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She also talked about how even after achieving financial stability, she doesn’t even pay for her own haircut and borrows money from her mom in the form of cash. As she never carries cash with her anywhere.

Do you think the pay disparity in lower-rung tennis tournaments is something that needs fixing? Let us know in the comments below.