Polish tennis sensation and current World No. 1, Iga Swiatek made a compelling appeal on Wednesday, advocating for a more equitable distribution of prize money across Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) events.
The reigning French Open and U.S. Open champion is preparing to compete at the Madrid Open after retaining her Stuttgart title last weekend, defeating world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
Swiatek won over 100,000 euros ($111,000), which some contrasted with Carlos Alcaraz's 475,000 euros ($526,000) haul for triumphing at the Barcelona Open.
"I think (tennis) is better than most sports, but still there is a lot we can work on in terms of, you know, getting equal prize money on some WTA tournaments compared to ATP on the same level," Swiatek told a news conference Wednesday.
"Grand Slams are already even, as we know. That's nice, but it would be good if WTA would focus on that, but I don't want to get into that because it's a lot of business and sometimes politics.
"I don't think I have a lot of influence. I just can say that it would be nice for our sport if it was equal, especially because we kind of do the same work."
The Polish top seed in Madrid says the women's game offers more consistency than the men's now and can create even higher emotions.
"I also get people saying men's tennis is nicer to watch and guys can do more because they are physically and biologically stronger," said Swiatek.
"But I think there were a lot of people, for example, a couple of years ago, who were saying that (the women's game is) not consistent and that's a shame and it should be better, but right now I think we are even more consistent than the guys with our game.
"Watching women's tennis gives the same emotions, and sometimes even more emotions because we are women and are a little bit more emotional.
"But, yeah, I think it would be nice if WTA could make it even."
In 1973, the U.S. Open became the first Grand Slam event to pay men's and women's players equal prize money.
It was followed by the Australian Open in 2001 before the French Open and Wimbledon also decided to do so in 2007.
Swiatek said she would have to get used to playing at a higher altitude in Madrid.
"I feel like the (balls) are more like flying bullets, you have to control them – and the clay is a little bit different, the movement and stuff, I just have to get used to it," she added.
"I want to win every tournament that I go to, but Madrid, for sure, is still this kind of tournament that I haven't figured it out for 100%, so I just want to get the experience."
Swiatek will face Austrian "lucky loser" Julia Grabher in her opening match at the tournament.
