The fight for equal prize money in tennis has gained a powerful ally in the form of Roger Federer. Following Serena Williams’ recent call for action, Federer has echoed her sentiment, urging for equal pay across both the men’s and women’s game.

While Grand Slam tournaments currently offer equal prize money for male and female champions, this equality isn’t reflected throughout the tennis calendar. Tournaments run by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) often maintain a disparity in prize money awarded to male and female players.

Federer expressed his firm belief that women deserve equal pay across both the WTA tour and beyond. He acknowledged that the popularity of the men’s and women’s game may fluctuate, but stressed that “we should always help each other as players regardless of who’s more popular at the moment.”

Last week, Williams emphasized the need for “uncomfortable” conversations to bridge the pay gap. She highlighted instances where women receive significantly less than their male counterparts at certain tournaments. “For change to really be made, men and women have to work together, they have to have the same message, they have to support each other,” Williams stated.

Federer’s support for Williams strengthens their collective voice advocating for change. They understand that garnering widespread support is crucial. “As many people as we can get to support us, that’s what it’s going to take,” Federer declared. “We still are fighting for equal prize money at all events across the board. I think that’s something that we’re going to continue to do, continue to fight for.”

However, not all players share the same unwavering view on the issue. World number two Rafael Nadal presented a more nuanced perspective. Nadal believes that the amount of prize money should be determined by ticket sales, arguing that “if they [women] sell more tickets, they deserve to earn more than us.” He emphasized that gender shouldn’t be the determining factor, but rather the overall contribution to a tournament’s success. Nadal’s stance highlights the complexity of the issue, with some arguing for equal pay as a matter of principle regardless of popularity, while others believe pay should reflect commercial appeal.

Nadal also avoided taking a stance on a potential merger of the ATP and WTA tours, suggesting that tournament organizers are better equipped to address such a proposition. He expressed his reluctance to discuss gender issues further, citing the potential for controversy in today’s social climate.

The debate surrounding equal prize money in tennis promises to continue. With iconic figures like Federer and Williams leading the charge for equality, the pressure on governing bodies to address this disparity will undoubtedly intensify. Whether the solution lies in a strictly equal pay structure or a more performance-based system remains to be seen. However, the voices of these tennis titans have ensured that the conversation will remain firmly at the forefront of the sport.