Emma Raducanu Causes Controversy With Comments About Equal Prize Money
NewsFriday, 20 June 2025 at 11:49
Emma Raducanu caused a stir by revealing why she never plans to give an opinion on equal prize money in tennis.
The four Grand Slams award the same prize money per round to WTA and ATP players. That was made possible by tireless efforts from women's tennis legends such as Billie Jean King and Venus Williams.
Jean King ensured that the US Open became the first sporting event in the world to provide equal prize money to male and female athletes. The work of Williams and others eventually led to all Grand Slams paying men and women equally in 2007.
The Indian Wells Open, Miami Open, and Italian Open also offer equal prize money. Although a gap still exists at the Madrid Open and Canadian Open, organizers have announced timelines to get to equal prize money in the next few years.
Previous legends doing so much work for the later generations means that some feel today's players have a duty to honor their legacies and keep pushing to ensure that more progress is made and previous steps are not rolled back.
Those who hold that view did not like what Raducanu said in a press conference at last week's 2025 Queen's Club Championships. The Briton stated she would not give a view on equal prize money one way or the other.
"In a lot of the WTA events, the prize money is definitely different to the ATP. In the Masters events, it's the same, but in the week-to-week events, it is lower. There is a big difference, and I'm sure a lot of players will see their piece on it. I just prefer not to get involved in whatever the situation is, I'll just roll with it. I'm never going to take a stand either way."
The reporter then followed up by asking whether the Queen's Club Championships, holding a women's event for the first time in over 50 years, was a step in the right direction. Raducanu responded with another non-committal answer.
"I don't know whether it is or isn't, I don't really get involved or stay in the loop with all the boards and the decisions, I just kind of get on with it. I don't feel like I'm really playing for money."
"Of course, I need to maintain my team, which is extremely expensive. With my profile, coaches and team members see that. It is an expensive sport, but it's not my main motivation for why I play."
While some lauded Raducanu for her honesty and thought criticism was unfair, others felt she was passing the buck of fighting for equality onto others, and that it is easy for her to say she does not play for money as someone who has made millions in endorsements off the court.
The former US Open champion and world No. 10 is not the only player to cause controversy with her remarks about equal prize money. Paula Badosa has said she would not mind a system where prize money is based on revenue generated rather than equality, no matter what.
Raducanu was also in the news after her partnership with Carlos Alcaraz for the US Open mixed doubles was announced.
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