"The men should feel lucky to get equal prize money from the US Open"- Ladies' final 'out-guns' men's final in viewer numbers
Tennis NewsFriday, 13 September 2024 at 01:53
Following the conclusion of the 2024 US Open, it was discovered that the viewership for the women's singles final was higher than that of the men's event. This prompted renowned tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg to highlight the discrepancy while taking a subtle jab at the male players.
The women's final saw Aryna Sabalenka take on American Jessica Pegula, with the Belarusian powering past her opponent to win her first US Open title. Alternatively, the men's final saw World No.1 Jannik Sinner dismantle home favorite Taylor Fritz, winning his second Grand Slam title of the season.
More people tuned in to watch the women's final than the men's
Although both finals showcased some high quality tennis, the YouTube highlights indicated a considerable disparity in views. The women's final garnered 1.6 million views, whereas the men's could only draw about 688,000 views. This prompted journalist Rothenberg, who has been a vocal advocate for women's sports, to point out the significant difference with a tongue-in-cheek caption.
"The men should feel lucky to get equal prize money from #USOpen, tbh," wrote Rothenberg on Twitter.
This is in reference to both the male and female winner earning equal prize money, although Rothenberg seemed to suggest that the men should have earned less based on viewership. Nonetheless, the 2024 US Open final saw a significant decline in viewership compared to previous editions. The Sinner vs Fritz match drew 1.8 million live viewers across ABC and ESPN+, a 31% drop from last year. The women's final did not fare much better, with the Sabalenka vs Pegula match also averaging 1.9 million live viewers across ESPN and ESPN+, a 53% drop from last year's final.
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- I love WTA matches. Seek them out as much as possible on youtube and other platforms I already subscribe to. With that in mind, I do not wish to pay $$$ to a notoriously slippery subscription conglomerate sports broadcaster (like SkySports) just for the privilege to watch it and the tnt/eurosport/discovery subscription went from $$ to $$$+ annually in a blink of an eye. With ATP I have been begrudgingly paying xyz tennis only channel and try to catch up on slams elsewhere (pubs, youtube with USO later on games are just as enjoyable to watch and a smart move to upload on their official channel) but they don't cover WTA. I tried another Tennis dedicated channel that advertised originally as broadcasting where I live, but turned out, they took the money, but didn't cover the matches (only fluff/filler value documentaries). I don't understand why it is so hard to not lock the live matches to one broadcaster only refusing so many people who are happy to pay for the privilege just not through that one entry point. WTA is so exciting for the last few years and they really should capitalise on it as much as possible. And I know it is somewhat naive talking without knowing the inner works, but not being able to find any WTA other than youtube (and then only highlights mostly) is just so frustrating.JayJay11-09-2026
- Clearly not AI :-)
AceOfBase11-09-2026 - Oh my God!! Does anyone proofread these pages??? Case in point: However, the question mark over the 32-years-old head......???? No! No! No! However, the question mark over the 32-year-old's head...good grief man, hire a proofreader. This article is rife with errors making some sentences very difficult to read. I had to stop. I am a proofreader hence my disgust.Rapunzel10-09-2026
- Iga needs to make a decision whether she wants to continue the sport of tennis or pursue whatever she has going on in her personal life. One can tell that tennis is no longer an interest of hers. She should retire while she is on top, not when she slides to the bottom of the rankings. She has too much talent to look how she does on the court these days. She looks more like a wild card than a champion.crissy09-09-2026
- Looks like tennis has become a part of the American Oligarchy. As usual, Pegula is given a cupcake draw. With all her money, they have to fixed the draws in her favor in order to raised the trophy.crissy09-09-2026
- Huge win for Ben! He needed this. Amazing that Alcaraz took over four months off and still was able to make the QF’s and take Ben to a fifth set tie break! Insane tennis. Tiafoe vs. Shelton should be a good one too. Americans might finally get their US Open Champion after 23 years!DaveyWavey09-09-2026
- No one else would get away with this but these AMERCANS! It’s the US Open!! In America!! But sure, go off American ;)DaveyWavey08-09-2026
- WOW !!! Her comebacks have been intense. She's Baaaaack!
mandoist08-09-2026 - Don't lay this shitshow on "Americans". It is a long-running Ego trip with WTA allowing these two Elitists 'in need of a Camera' illicit Wildcards. If these two clowns want to "perform" -- then play the qualies.mandoist08-09-2026
- Here we go again…. Different rules for Americans! Especially THESE Americans. Yuck!DaveyWavey07-09-2026
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