The time for a level playing field is overdue

Bigger stars, drawcards, crowds . . . less prizemoney. Something doesn’t quite add up. That’s the basic storyline as tennis takes its twoweek time in the Auckland sun.

Serena and Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki took centre court at the ASB Classic this week, all competing for second-rate purses when compared to their male counterparts.

In the age of equal opportunity, and in a country that’s long championed women’s rights, more could be done to push for a level playing field.

The argument to the contrary explains the men’s and women’s tennis are governed by separate entities – the WTA and ATP – and have different tier systems. Therefore, relevant comparisons can’t be made. With respect, it’s a bit of a copout. In terms of local pulling power, women have provided the trump cards for a number of years in Auckland. Ana Ivanovic was another former champion due to return again this year, but for her retirement.

Names pull the crowds – and there’s none bigger than Serena and Venus. The pair have won 29 Grand Slams between them. No-one in the men’s field has one such title. The truth of it is the men’s event won’t garner anywhere near the same buzz next week.

Sure, the Williams sisters get sizeable appearance fees. But it still smacks as a slap in the face to ask the women’s field to contest US$250,000 NZ$358,000). One week later, the men play on the same courts over the same number of sets for US$450,000, and world No 14 Roberto Bautista Agut is the highest-ranked visitor following Juan Martin del Potro’s withdrawal. Same job, different pay. Fundamentally flawed, isn’t it? Such disparity is not accepted in many industries around the world. Why tennis?

If it’s good enough for the Grand Slams – Wimbledon the last in 2007 – to offer equal prizemoney so, too, should it be for small tournaments such as Auckland. To be fair, Auckland is not alone in its lopsided pay scale.

Those reaching for the popularity argument should pause. The tide has begun to turn there, too.

The 2015 US Open final between Serena and Venus sold out faster than the men’s. In 2013 and 2014, the women’s US Open finals generated higher television ratings than the men’s.

ASB Classic tournament director Karl Budge has empathy for the women’s plight, having worked on the WTA tour prior to impressing in his current gig. But what a lasting legacy and fine example he could set by getting sponsorship on board to close the prize money gap.