Wimbledon is finally entering the 21st Century. Starting this year, the men’s and ladies’ champions will receive equal prize money. In addition, equal prize money will be offered for all events and in all stages of competition. Wimbledon joins the Australian and U.S. Opens in their equal pay policy. The French Open remains as the only Grand Slam tournament that does not offer equal pay throughout all stages of competition, although the winners do receive pay equity.
The debate over pay equity has been going on for years. Tournament officials argued that the men play a best-of-five set while the women play the best-of-three therefore the men provide better value in terms of competition. Naturally, the news was well received by top players such as Venus Williams. “I applaud today’s decision by Wimbledon, which recognizes the value of women’s tennis,” she told Reuters.
This is yet another old-age Wimbledon policy that has been eliminated. Four years ago, players were excused from having to bow or curtsy to the Royal Family at Center Court.
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