The Spanish campaign wasn’t supposed to end in the knockout stage, with Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz in the team. However, it did happen. Every tennis fan dreaded the day. Another Big 3 is retiring! The home crowd chanted Raafaaa, as he featured for the last time on the court, as a professional player. It prompted everyone to remember their fondest memories of the tenacious Spanish warrior. Talking about memories, who can forget Nadal’s strong take on equal pay?

Sometime back (earlier this year), the Spanish publication, Marca, uploaded an interview featuring Rafael Nadal touching on the topic of equal pay. Nadal emphasized creating equal opportunities for women tennis players, revealing what being a feminist meant for him. He said, “What is unfair is that there is no equal opportunity. If you ask me if I am a feminist, if a feminist means saying that they deserve the same opportunities, yes I am.” Indeed, every tennis enthusiast deserves equal opportunity, regardless of whether they are male or female.

Nadal further went on to explain with a powerful example that he is indeed a feminist. He said, “I don’t want me to earn more than Serena Williams because I am Rafa Nadal. I want women to earn more than men if they generate more than men.” For years, the women tennis players had advocated equal pay in the tennis tournament. Though there might be some tournaments that could showcase pay disparity, all the major tournaments have equal pay today.

Highlighting the above, Rafael Nadal explained why women should get equal prizes in tennis at the major tournaments. He said, “The prizes in tennis are practically the same. Why? Because there was an opportunity for women’s tennis to be liked by the world. Women’s tennis is liked by the world, they earn a lot of money. If the women’s world champions are popular, they fill the stadiums… The more they win, the better”

However, the struggle wasn’t easy, but 1973 was a turning point in women’s tennis. The WTA was founded when Billie Jean King played Battle of the Sexes against Bobby Riggs.

The US Open became the first Grand Slam to offer equal pay to its winners. While the WTA has a staggered plan to introduce equal prizes in other tournaments in the upcoming years, Nadal talked about equal investments rather than equal pay.

Rafael Nadal bats for equal investments in women’s tennis, as gender equity remains elusive

It has been over 50 years since the famous Battle of Sexes, where King defeated Riggs in a three-set match, with absolute domination (6-4,6-3,6-3). However, except for the Grand Slam, not every tournament is paying equal checks. For instance, the Masters 1000 events before the US Open, and the Canadian and Cincinnati Open, neither of the tournaments have equal pay for the male and female players. The stark difference in these tournaments’ prize money highlights a grim fact.

The broadcasting rights for the Women’s World Cup were sold between $1-$10 million. It’s the same for the men’s World Cup fetched $100-$200 million (last year). However, the WTA has announced that all combined 500- and 1000-level event tournaments would be equal for both men and women by 2027. A good thing indeed. While equal pay is appreciated, Nadal believes that ‘equality isn’t about giving away gifts.’ For him, “The investment for women should be the same as for men.” 

The Spaniard may have left the professional circuit, but his legacy, and words still echo around. We certainly need more investments in women’s tennis to generate more opportunities, and prizes will ultimately follow!