The prize money debate continues with the first combined ATP and WTA tournament on the 500 level taking place next week in DC Open Washington.
Albeit with marginally less prize money between the two and also a lesser draw cut.
Changes are due from 2025 with tournaments taking steps to reduce disparity but many believe it should come in sooner.
For instance in the ATP draw, the winner gets $353,445. In the WTA draw, it is $120,150 for the winner. Runner-up seals $188,505 compared to $74,161.
Going all the way down to the first round, it is another round more for the men with a $7,855 starting point. While for the WTA, it sits at $8,320 for the Last 32 losers.
Katie Boulter made the point which stirred the prize money debate too that the field for the WTA Washington is 39th to be in the main draw. This means that the Brit in particular has to face Leylah Fernandez in Qualifying.
While in the ATP, it is 142nd to get into the main draw as the cut off point. So a combined tournament between the two but still disparity away from the surface on multiple fronts.
Washington this year is first-ever ATP/WTA combined event with both at the 500 level, but it's clear pretty quickly that these events are not at all symmetrical, at least not yet. Women's draw here is smaller (28 vs 48), way stronger by ranking, and significantly less paid.
Washington DC 500 for both. WTA main draw cut : 39 ATP main draw cut : 142 🤯😲 👀
