Sabalenka Joins Świątek in Defending Letter on Equal Prize Money: “We Deserve It”
Sabalenka Joins Świątek in Defending Letter on Equal Prize Money: “We Deserve It”
Aryna Sabalenka has joined fellow WTA star Iga Świątek (pronounced EE-gah SHVEE-on-tek) in speaking out about a letter recently signed by several top players that advocates for greater financial parity and higher prize money in women’s tennis.
The letter, which has sparked conversations across the tennis world, was signed by many of the WTA’s elite players and highlighted the ongoing disparities in prize money between ATP and WTA events, particularly at non-Grand Slam tournaments. While Grand Slam events now offer equal prize money, significant gaps remain at other levels of professional tennis.
Sabalenka, currently ranked No. 2 in the world, emphasized that the letter wasn’t meant to criticize tournament organizers or male players but to spotlight the effort, dedication, and performance levels female players consistently bring to the sport.
“We put in the same amount of work, the same hours of training, the same travel and sacrifices. We sell out stadiums, we bring fans in, and we put on a show,” Sabalenka said in a recent press conference. “This letter was about standing up for ourselves and saying — we deserve it.”
Iga Świątek, the world No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion, had already addressed the letter earlier, stating that the intention was to start a constructive conversation about fairness in the sport. Świątek stressed that the WTA players were not demanding equality overnight but asking for a clearer roadmap to achieve it.
“It’s not just about equal prize money, but also about equal opportunities, visibility, and value for what we do,” Świątek said.
The letter, circulated privately among players before becoming public, was coordinated by members of the WTA Players’ Council, with support from the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA). It reflects growing player unity in the push for reforms to ensure the women’s tour continues to grow and thrive alongside the men’s game.
With top stars like Świątek and Sabalenka leading the charge, the message is clear: Women’s tennis is a global force, and its stars are ready to fight for what they believe is fair and deserved.
