Most constitutions around the world have the words “equal pay for equal work” enshrined in golden letters. And things have certainly changed for the better in a lot of cases. But what about tennis? After years of struggle by the top tennis stars, helmed by the legend Billie Jean King, things have improved a lot on the big stage. However, this cannot be said for every tennis tournament. And Paula Badosa has something to say, which sounds quite similar to Rafael Nadal’s take on the issue.
In a recent interview published in Lavangaudia Magazine, Badosa was questioned about the pay gap. The interviewer asked, “Some of your female colleagues have sometimes complained about experiencing inequalities in tournaments compared to male tennis players. Do you feel that there is gender equality in tennis?” And rightly said, every person has a different prism to look at a similar situation. While some of the female tennis players complained about the inequality, Badosa looked at the situation from a different perspective.
Starting on a strong note, as she declared that she has “Always been very clear that we are what we generate, regardless of gender.” In a usual scenario, when Djokovic, Nadal, Alcaraz, or any other male tennis player plays, the stands are full of people and excitement. However, the same cannot be said for women’s tennis, which has even witnessed half-filled stands.
And things go downhill as the rank descends downwards. But Badosa applies reasoning to the scenario, as she thinks that, “Because men’s tennis generates more than women’s, just as in the world of fashion, for example, the opposite occurs between male and female models.”
Additionally, major tournaments have already taken a step in right direction as they offer pay parity. Which is still missing in many sports. She said, “In my sport, in fact, it is much more equal than in others, and it doesn’t bother me that if the best tennis players generate more, they earn it in proportion. What I can tell you is that between us, although we don’t all think the same in this sense, there is a real resonance that makes me very proud.” The more the stands are filled, the more the returns for the organizers and consequently the pay for the players. And better the ranking, better the pay!
Badosa’s words echoed Nadal’s take on the issue way back at a recent interview. The Spaniard known to stay away from controversy was mired in one as he unabashedly expressed his opinion. And it seems things have not changed much for the tennis circuit as they are still looking for the answer to the same question.
“I’m a feminist”- asserts Rafael Nadal again as he bats for equal opportunities
The Spaniard has finally made a veiled retirement announcement at the Bastad Open. Nadal has always tried to represent his thoughts with fairness for all the stakeholders involved. And when it’s a controversial topic that includes a barrage of multiple opinions, each right from their own spectrums, Nadal is more than careful to put things in a rational yet right way. And that’s exactly what he did when he was asked what he thought about male and female players earning the same amount.
He said, “I don’t want to be hypocritical and say things that are easy to say and that I don’t feel. What do you want me to say? For me, the investment for women should be the same as for men, the opportunities, the same. Are the salaries the same? No, for what? It’s not unfair. What’s unfair is that there isn’t equal opportunity. I have a mother and a sister. If you tell me that men and women deserve the same opportunities, I’m a feminist.
These words resonate with Paula Badosa’s take. Equal opportunities are necessary for everyone, however, it doesn’t imply equal pay. You reap what you sow!
