Tennis is one of the few sports where women claim equal dominance as their male counterparts. In most games, male players enjoy substantial popularity as compared to female stars. Female tennis players remain marketable and are the most paid female athletes. The only two women appearing in the top 100 world’s most paid athletes list are the most famous tennis players: Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova.
Unlike in other sports, men and women have participated in tennis competitions since the 1800s. Women tennis was played during the first Olympics games, which took place in Paris in 1900. Mixed doubles have also existed for centuries.
WTA contributions to women tennis
The establishment of the women’s tennis association (WTA) in 1973 led to a significant transformation in the sport. The tennis legend Billie Jean King is the face behind the WTA and the women sports foundation. During her career, the time legend- Billie King won 16 grand slam doubles and 12 grand slam singles.
Female tennis stars in the history books include the William sisters, Steffi Graf, Chris Evert-Lloyd, and Martina Navratilova, among others.
The world tennis association is the idea behind the success of women tennis. The association has attracted significant financial support through substantial sponsorship deals. In an attempt to boost the sport, WTA signed a ten-year television deal worth $500,000,000 that ensures the live airing of all main draw matches and live online streaming.
Women vs. Men in tennis
The gender-inclusivity in tennis beats all other sports like football, netball, and volleyball, among others, that are still struggling to attain women’s popularity. Both men and women tennis attract equal media coverage and endorsements. The game’s attendance and sponsorship are dependent on the participants. Games featuring the two best stars of both genders are the most popular. Games in which Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova are taking part to attract equal levels of popularity as those of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Although the male tennis players take home a more substantial sum of money, female players earn more than other sports. However, there is no logical explanation as to why male tennis players should be making more than women even though they enjoy equal popularity. According to published reports, the most prominent men stars in tennis earned two times more than women.
Men are more interested in men’s tennis as compared to women. However, both genders enjoy women’s tennis. For instance, in 2015, the tickets to the US Open women’s final sold out faster than the men’s event. Unfortunately, the tickets to the men’s games are at higher prices.
The men’s game in tennis is longer than that of women. Tennis follows traditions whereby the women’s game is played best of three while men’s game is best of five. Women in the sport still believe that they can play up to the five sets. A women tennis game lasts for about two and a half hours, while men can go up to five hours.
How does women tennis now compare to the past
The women’s tennis popularity has seen significant growth over the 21st century. Through the WTA, the players enjoy publicity through live television broadcasting of matches. The equipment used in playing the games has also seen significant improvement, making it more attractive and fun for women. Unlike in the past, women players are in a position to secure lucrative sponsorship deals. The grand slum finances for women are now at an equal level to those of men. These factors are pulling more women from taking an interest in the sport.
