"We're fighting for prize money for people in 20 years" - Jessica Pegula on securing equal prize money for WTA events

The WTA Tour has made significant strides in the last half-century, gaining equal prize money at all four Grand Slams and leading the way as the women’s sport that produces the most recognized and well-compensated female athletes in the world.

When asked to give her vision for the WTA Tour, World No.3 Jessica Pegula, a member of the WTA Player’s Council, believes that increased exposure is the key to more success.

“I hope obviously we can keep pushing for equal prize money at all events,” she said. “Being on TV more. I feel like as far as me being on player council, we already tried to do a lot of that. I think we’re starting to see slowly, more of it, especially with United Cup, the response of everyone wanting to see men and women playing on the same court, on the same team.”

Pegula believes that the challenge is getting the women’s game the same type of exposure that the men receive. It’s not always as easy as it looks.

“That’s always what we’re pushing for, is just for people to appreciate us playing and wanting to see us play and getting more exposure, then obviously inspiring the next generation of girls that want to do the same thing. Obviously without the past generation, we wouldn’t be here, as well,” she said, adding: “I think it’s always just to keep inspiring each generation because those are the next people. That’s also who we’re fighting for. Some of us are older, as well, on the council. We’re fighting for prize money for people in 20 years.”