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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
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