Swiatek urges WTA to reduce pay gap between men’s and women’s tours

World number one Iga Swiatek said she hopes the governing body of the women’s game (WTA) can do more to boost the tour in 2023 and further reduce the pay gap which exists between the men’s and women’s tours outside the sport’s biggest tournaments.

Equal prize money has been offered to men and women at the four Grand Slams as tennis sought to be a leader in the battle for equality in the last couple of decades.

However, WTA Tour events still often offer less prize money than those on the men’s tour, which operates its own circuit.

“For sure, I’d like to see the WTA expanding business-wise, getting more popular, cutting the difference between WTA and ATP in terms of prize money and attracting fans,” Polish star Swiatek said.

“Our tennis brings the same emotions as men’s tennis. There’s something you can find in women’s tennis that you’re not going to find on the ATP.

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“Right now, after a couple of years of hearing we’re not consistent, we’re actually consistent. There are top players who are playing great in most of the tournaments.”

American world number three Jessica Pegula, who is a member of the WTA player council, echoed Swiatek’s comments.

“I hope we can keep pushing for equal prize money at all events, being on TV more,” Pegula said.