He added that it's about the entertainment as well as stating that men's tennis is actually more "interesting" than women's.
I believe that Simon's claims demonstrate how sexism is still an issue in sport. A man cannot be paid more because he is seen as a greater interest. If that is a reason behind any pay, then it is wrong.
Wimbledon has awarded equal prize money since 2007: Singles winners win £1.15 million; Doubles winners get £260,000 for the pair; and mixed doubles earn £92,000 for the pair.
Giving the same amount of prize money is the correct thing to do in my opinion: female tennis players train and work equally as hard as male players do. The quality of play in women's tennis is just as good as men's.
However, I can understand why some people are arguing men should receive greater pay because of their task to compete to the best of five sets, whereas a women has to play best to three.
But surely we're all about equality here? We are in the 21st century, not the 20th. Being a women should not be a reason as to why pay should be less. That is unfair and sexist.
Yes, I understand why many depict men's tennis as more interesting: the 'Top Four' create headlines worldwide because of their rivalry and always seem to cause the biggest shocks and upsets within the sport.
But women's tennis is as interesting. I agree, there is not a rivalry between female players similar with the likes of Nadal and Murray. But why should Simon use that as the reason as to why women shouldn't receive equal pay.
Female players have fought long and hard to get equal prize money, so why are many people claiming the opposite to what they campaigned for?
Men have the physical ability of a 5 set match whereas a female may not have equal ability. Equal pay should be awarded because it is not a woman's fault if they do not have the physical strength to compete in 5 sets. I can understand people's argument against this, but I think Simon is wrong by claiming men's tennis is 'more attractive' and 'entertaining'.
My message to the critics is this: Stop making gender the issue. Tennis players, both male and female, work hard and put equal time and effort into their training. It is not about the entertainment as Gilles Simon believes. It is about the players' ability to perform as athletes and achieve sporting goals for themselves and their countries.
Surely if we're "all about equality", women should play five sets then?
ReplyDeleteHow can that happen if a woman's body is not able to handle that of what a man can do? Women play to 3 sets, men to 5. That's fair, therefore equal pay should be given.
ReplyDeleteOr how about the argument that the only fair way to decide prize money is to link it directly to the revenue it generates? Men's final TV revenue is A LOT higher than women's final TV revenue, tickets cost considerably more for a debenture/hospitality package, mens' endorsements generates more merchandise/product sales than womens' endorsements... what say you to that?
ReplyDeleteFemale professional footballers get paid less than men because they have a smaller audience and consequently generate less revenue. The same can be said in tennis (although the gap is smaller), so why should both sexes get paid the same?