The final of the Italian Open is forthcoming, and for Alexander Zverev and Nicolas Jarry, much more is at stake than the trophy. These two contenders are vying for a reward with a higher value than that received by women’s champion Iga Swiatek. The competition is not solely about glory, but a substantial monetary reward as well.
Zverev and Jarry will face off in the Italian Open final today. The financial gains for these male players are anticipated to surpass those of women’s champion Iga Swiatek and runner-up Aryna Sabalenka in Rome. Zverev has displayed exceptional form on the Italian clay, not yielding a set leading up to his semi-final duel with Alejandro Tabilo. Meanwhile, Jarry secured his spot in the final with a hard-fought triumph over American opponent Tommy Paul.
As reported on the ATP website, the victor of the men’s final will be awarded £828,299, while the runner-up will receive £440,504. In contrast, Swiatek received £601,679 for her triumph, and Sabalenka was granted £313,884. This notable discrepancy reveals that male players are receiving a larger share of the winnings in this tournament.
Although the four Grand Slam tournaments offer equal prize money for both male and female players, other events do not necessarily adhere to this practice. Nevertheless, efforts are being made to rectify this disparity. Last year, the WTA announced plans to ensure equal prize money for women and men at WTA-ATP 1000 and 500 tournaments by 2027. The organization then aims to ensure parity in pay for events where male and female players do not compete at the same location by 2033.
Swiatek’s victory marked her second win over Sabalenka in three weeks, having defeated her at the Madrid Open. Following her triumph in Italy, Swiatek shared, “After Madrid I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. I’m really happy that I was able to play consistently during the clay season. The final tournament is in front of us. I always enjoy playing here”.
Undoubtedly, the Italian Open final offers more than just a display of tennis skills. The pursuit for prize money is also an aspect to observe. Whether these differences in earnings will persist in the future, or if further measures will be taken to ensure equal pay in the sport, remains to be seen. For now, attention is focused on the players as they prepare for what holds promise as an enthralling final showdown in Rome.