Tennis is one of the most equal sports regarding gender- based pay and prize money, treatment and ability. It is also a very diverse sport; played globally, and by all ages and abilities. Tennis aims to decrease the gap between male prize money and female prize money. It’s important to note that 99% of money in tennis is distributed between the top 1%of players. As in 2023 the WTA approved a plan which will have equal prize money across all professional tournaments by 2027. However, there is more to equality than just money. Such as the scheduling of matches specifically in the grand slams. Is there both men and women matches on during prime-time viewing? Are the prominent courts occupied by men and women? Is there an equal amount of attendance at each match? While tennis is definitely a positive outlier for equality, there is certainly more work to be done. 

While all four grand slams have equal prize money, unfortunately, the top 10 highest ranking male players are still paid 1.44 times the 10 highest ranking women. Additionally, during the pandemic the inability to hold tournaments specifically in China, negatively impacted the prize money offered to women. This was found as men won 53% more money than women from 2020- 2022. However, some of this is said to be blamed upon Covid-19. Despite this there is no excuse for inequality and discrimination. 

In 1970, Men were profusely worshipped in tennis, and received lucrative amounts of money. Whereas women were paid a colossally significant amount less with a ratio of 8:1. At a specific Pacific Southwest Championship the women's prize money was $1,500 and the men's was $12,500. That’s $11,000 difference in 1970. $1,500 would hardly give the player any profit, as players must pay for their own accommodation, transport, equipment, etc. Meaning being a profitable women's tennis player virtually impossible.  

Billy Jean King was the first women's tennis player to win $100,000 in one season. King won 39 grand slams, making her arguably one of the best and most renowned players of all time. She founded the Women's Tennis Association, and the Women's sports foundation. King was an active advocate for equal pay, women's rights. She is renowned for the tennis match known as the ‘battle of the sexes’ where she defeated Bobby Riggs in the most watched tennis match ever with 90 million people tuning in. She proved that ability is not dependent upon gender and fought to achieve equality in sports. Today Billie Jean King is 81 and in 2006 had a National Tennis centre dedicated towards her and her incredible skills, on and off the court. King is an inspiration for women in the Tennis world and jump started gender equality in sports globally.