Disparity in prize money between ATP and WTA shown in revenue

The prize money disparity between the ATP and WTA clearly indicates fundamental differences in how the Tour operate which has several causes.

According to a ProPublica report, the ATP raked in a record $176.8 million in revenue for the 2021 season, while the WTA's income only reached $87.8 million. Since 2012, the men's income has been steadily increasing, while the WTA's revenue saw a sharp decline after hitting a record high of $109.7 million in 2019.

There are many reasons for that but mainly it's because the ATP is simply more popular among the general public and both the sponsors. The viewership is bigger and that ultimately drives everything else. The disparity in prize money between ATP and WTA events is particularly evident at the lower levels. For instance, the majority of ATP 250 events have a prize fund of approximately $642,735, which is almost triple the amount of the parallel WTA competition where the prize money averages around $259,303.

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The gap in prize money is even more pronounced at higher-points competitions. At the 2023 Dubai Championships, an ATP 500 event, the men's prize fund was almost $3 million, whereas the women's prize money at the WTA 500 Charleston Open was only $780,637. According to the Financial Times, this trend was also noticeable in 2022, with men's players earning roughly 75% more than female players, excluding Grand Slams, which pay equal prize money.