The WTA is phasing in pay increases at a number of tournaments, which eventually will give women the same paydays as men at combined WTA-ATP events.
The WTA plan, announced Tuesday, will make equal the prize money at WTA 1000 and 500 combined events by 2027 and at single-week WTA 1000 and 500 events by 2033.
The payouts for men and women have been the same at Grand Slam tournaments since 2007, but men continue to earn more at the 1000 and 500-level events.
Also Tuesday, the WTA announced that it will hold 10 1000-level events, adding one-week events in Doha, Dubai and a location still to be named.
In a news release, the WTA said the changes “will ensure a consistent presence of the top athletes at these premium events throughout the year. The increase in two-week WTA 1000 tournaments combined with the ATP demonstrates a clearer alignment across both tours.”
Five of the 1000-level tournaments will increase to two weeks, thereby raising the number of players in the draw. The change will take place gradually. It started with Rome in May of this year, with Madrid and Beijing (2024), and Cincinnati and Toronto/Montreal (2025) to come.
Other 1000-level events are in Miami and Indian Wells.
The number of 500-level events will rise from 13 to 17, with those events in Abu Dhabi, Adelaide, Berlin, Brisbane, Charleston, Eastbourne, Monterrey, San Diego, Seoul, Strasbourg, Stuttgart, Tokyo, United Cup, Washington, Zhengzhou and two yet-to-be-named events.
Steve Simon, the CEO and chairman of the WTA, said both fans and players will appreciate the changes.
“At the heart of everything the WTA does is producing the highest-quality product and experience, and the strengthened future calendars will have a positive impact for our players, tournaments, fans and partners,” he said. “Equality, including equal compensation, is a fundamental principle of the WTA and it is crucial to attain this level. We appreciate the support from our tournaments in securing this top priority.”
–Field Level Media
