Swinging for Equality: Revolutionizing Women's Tennis, One Ball at a Time

 

By Julia Hristov '24

 

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Did you know that the tennis balls used at Wimbledon are changed every seven to nine games? This seemingly small detail is crucial because as the balls become heavy and less lively, they can affect the speed and bounce of the game, ultimately impacting the outcome of a match. Similarly, in the world of sports, small details can make a significant difference in how athletes perform and are perceived. Female athletes, despite their talent and dedication, often face challenges in receiving the same recognition and financial support as their male counterparts. Just like changing the tennis balls helps ensure a fair and ideal game environment, providing equal recognition and support for female athletes is essential for making sports fairer for everyone. Today, there is a pressing need for equal recognition, not just for the sake of fairness on the court, but as a crucial step toward achieving gender equality. 

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One of the most glaring disparities between men's and women's

tennis is the difference in media coverage. According to author

Kerry Close, major tournaments like Wimbledon or the U.S. Open

often receive significantly more airtime and attention for the men's

matches, with women's matches relegated to secondary coverage

or even ignored altogether (Close 2016). This discrepancy not only

undermines the achievements of female athletes, but also sends a

message that women's tennis is somehow less important or

exciting than men's. Moreover, it is a myth that fans are always more

interested in men's tennis. For instance, in 2015, the U.S.

Open women's tournament featured a match between

Serena and Venus Williams. Kerry Close said that it sold out

more quickly than the men's tournament. Additionally,

“In 2013 and 2014, the women's U.S. Open final garnered higher TV ratings than the men's final.” He adds, “In 2005, the Wimbledon final between Venus Williams and Lindsay Davenport drew 1 million more viewers than the showdown between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick” (Close 2016). If women are attracting not just equal but more viewership, then why shouldn't they receive equal pay as well? 

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This discrepancy in coverage is also evident in the NCAA Women's Final Four basketball tournament, where despite record-breaking viewership numbers, female college basketball players do not receive the same level of compensation or support as their male counterparts. According to reporter Joseph Salvador, “The NCAA’s broadcast agreements, corporate sponsorship contracts, distribution of revenue, organizational structure, and culture all prioritize Division I men’s basketball over everything else in ways that create, normalize, and perpetuate gender inequities” (Salvador 2021). This fact underscores the ongoing challenges female athletes encounter, not only in tennis but also in securing equal recognition and opportunities through media coverage.

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 Did you know that tennis balls were originally white or black until 1972? The switch to the now-standard yellow ball was made to improve visibility for both players and viewers, particularly on television, making the sport easier to follow and more enjoyable to watch. This transition reflects the need to illuminate and address the disparities in media coverage between men's and women's sports, as seen in the NCAA Women's Final Four tournament. Just as the introduction of the yellow ball improved its visibility on the court, ensuring equal media coverage would shine a brighter light on the remarkable talent and skill of female athletes. This visibility is important not only for acknowledging their accomplishments, but also for inspiring future generations of girls to pursue the sport. 

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Another challenge in women's tennis is the discrepancy in prize money compared with that awarded at men's tournaments. Offering equal prize money at women's tournaments is the same as using new tennis balls in a match; it promotes fair play and ensures that both sides start with the same advantages. Just as new tennis balls provide a level playing field where neither player has an advantage because of the condition of the equipment, equal prize money ensures that female athletes are recognized and rewarded on the same scale as their male counterparts, promoting equity and fairness in the sport. Despite playing the same sport and often drawing similar crowds, female tennis players often receive smaller prizes than their male counterparts. This issue extends across the entire spectrum of sports. For example, the U.S. women's soccer team's World Cup victory against Japan in 2015 was the most-watched soccer match in American history. Kerry Close says, “Yet on average, U.S. female soccer stars earn far less than their less-successful male counterparts” (Close 2016). The salary cap in the National Women's Soccer League is $265,000, about 11 times less than the cap in men's Major League Soccer (Pramuk 2015). This disparity highlights the need for equal recognition and support for women's sports, not only in soccer but across all professional athletic endeavors.

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If increased popularity means a bigger paycheck, why do male figure skaters and gymnasts, who participate in sports in which the ladies' side generally attracts far more spectators, get paid the same for their achievements? A BBC analysis of sports shows that male and female figure skaters and gymnasts earn the same amount for winning world championships. The study also found that of 35 sports that offer prize money to champions, 25 offer the same amount to male and female victors, regardless of which gender attracts more viewers or sponsors (BBC 2014). As a result, men are receiving pay that is equal to that received by women in sports where they attract significantly fewer viewers. Proudly promoting parity in pay is not only a matter of fairness but also a necessary step toward achieving gender equality in sports.

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To address these disparities and promote gender equality in tennis, it is essential for tennis organizations, sponsors, and media outlets to open a new can of balls.  According to blogger Berivan Guclu, “Efforts have been made to address these issues, with some tournaments increasing prize money for female players and organizers working towards more equitable scheduling. However, progress has been slow, and there is still work to be done to challenge and change ingrained biases” (Guclu 2024). Tennis governing bodies should ensure that women's matches receive the same amount of airtime and promotion as men's matches, and that prize money for women's tournaments is equal to that given at men's tournaments. Sponsors should also invest more in women's tennis, providing equal opportunities for endorsement deals and support (Guclu 2024). In addition, media outlets should give equal coverage and recognition to female athletes, to magnify the momentous achievements of women. The All England Lawn Tennis Club, which hosts Wimbledon, has made an effort to address gender inequality by awarding equal prize money to male and female players since 2007 (Guclu 2024). Such initiatives are crucial in promoting gender equality in sports and ensuring that female athletes receive the recognition and compensation they deserve.

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The longest tennis match in history took place at Wimbledon in 2010, lasting for 11 hours and 5 minutes over three days. Today, it serves as a symbol for the endurance required in the quest for gender equality in sports. Just as John Isner and Nicolas Mahut battled through a record-breaking 183 games in the fifth set, female athletes persist in their struggle for recognition and fair treatment in tennis and beyond. By acknowledging and rectifying the disparities in media coverage and prize money, we can ensure that women's tennis receives the recognition and compensation it deserves. As Berivan Guclu says, “By challenging outdated perceptions and supporting equal opportunities for both genders, the tennis community can work towards creating a more level playing field for all players, regardless of gender” (Guclu 2024). Therefore, by taking concrete actions to address these disparities, we can create a more equitable and inclusive environment for women's tennis and inspire future generations of female athletes. As Serena Williams concludes in her open letter for Porter's Magazine Incredible Women Of 2016 issue, "We must continue to dream big, and in doing so, we empower the next generation of women to be just as bold in their pursuits” (Bridges 2016).