For the first time ever, every Women’s Tennis Association event will result in the women being paid as much as the men. The WTA announced its 2027 schedule Thursday, which includes equal prize money for every single event, a first in the organization’s history.
A total of 55 events, spread across 26 countries and territories, were announced by the WTA on Thursday. Every one of those events will feature equal prize money, per the organization’s release.
The season will also mark a defining milestone for women’s sport. For the first time, all combined WTA 1000 tournaments will award equal prize money, building on a core objective of the WTA since its founding more than 50 years ago.
Later in its release, the WTA named multiple events that have committed to paying out equal prize money, including the Italian Open, National Bank Open presented by Rogers and Cincinnati Open. Those events joined the BNP Paribas Open, Miami Open, every single Grand Slam and many other events “in committing to offering equal prize money to women and men.”
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The WTA said that goal was more than five decades in the making. It cited Billie Jean King and other pioneering players who founded the WTA in 1973 as pivotal contributors to the movement.
WTA chair Valerie Camillo also credited current players for making it clear equal prize money remained a major focus of the organization. Camillo called it a “major milestone for tennis.”
“The WTA is stepping up to deliver more for players and tournaments in 2027. We have listened to player feedback on the demands of the calendar, and responded with a meaningful reduction in commitments. Achieving equal prize money across all combined WTA 1000 tournaments is a major milestone for tennis. It demonstrates the WTA’s continued commitment to leading the sports industry in delivering our athletes competitive and financial equality, and is a testament to the enduring nature of the founding vision of the WTA.”
While many events have previously given out equal prize money, others — like the Italian Open — made promises to hit that goal only to fall short.
That will no longer be the case in 2027.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
