Thu, May 11, 2023

Ons Jabeur says Italian Open equal pay must come before 2025

Tunisian world number seven Ons Jabeur has said equal prize money at the Italian Open should be available to women players as soon as possible rather than waiting for 2025 as currently planned. 

The four grand slams now offer equal prize money to both men and women however, the WTA Tour events still offer less money that then men’s events with the Italian Open in Rome offering men $9.51 million while for the women it is $3.5 million. 

Italian tennis federation chief Angelo Binaghi said equal prize money would be offered by 2025 but Jabeur told New York Times “I don't see why we have to wait. It's really frustrating. It's time for change. It's time for the tournament to do better.”

Both tournaments include 128 players and both men and women play best of three sets. World number 42 Paula Badosa said “I don't know why it's not equal right now. They don't inform us. They say this is what you get and you have to play.”