“It’s fun to cheer Jess on when she’s playing in Miami, and Maddie, of course, is starting the year off winning the Australian Open title. I think we push each other to always keep getting better,” Emma Navarro recently said, candidly sharing her thoughts on the resurgence of American women’s tennis players on the Tour. Navarro finds it “awesome” to be among those names. The 23-year-old herself has been in great form this year, reaching the QF of the AO and clinching the title at the Merida Open Akron. Her rapid rise has been an inspiring story, and according to Jessica Pegula, Navarro’s recent success could have perhaps inspired her father to make a groundbreaking announcement for the 2026 Charleston Open. What is the announcement, though?

Well, the equal prize money for men and women in tennis has been a longstanding debate. Emma Navarro’s father, Ben Navarro recently made an announcement that the winner of the 2026 Charleston Open will receive compensation equal to what men get by winning an ATP 500 event. “We are going to go, starting next year, with equal prize money. The first 500 that I know of to do it. So roughly we’re gonna be doubling prize money next year vs this year… matching the men. The Credit One Charleston Open has always been at the forefront of promoting women in sports, and we’re incredibly proud of our legacy,” said Ben Navarro, who is the owner of the event through his company Beemok Sports & Entertainment.

With this, the Charleston Open has now become the first standalone WTA 500 event to raise prize money ahead of the 2033 equal pay deadline. Jessica Pegula, the winner of this year’s tournament, received $164,000 after defeating her compatriot, Sofia Kenin, in the final. Sharing her thoughts on Ben Navarro’s announcement, she jokingly said, “I was like, not this year? Not the year I won it? Come on. No, I’m just kidding.”

Pegula, however, heaped praise on Ben Navarro and highlighted Emma Navarro’s massive role behind this big decision. “I think that’s amazing. I mean, what Ben Navarro and the Navarro family has done for tennis in the U.S. and women’s tennis, especially with doing that is really incredible, and I think he’s been inspired by seeing how well Emma has done and how much women’s tennis can really, really grow and her being a superstar in her own right.” 

Despite having so many fond memories of this tournament, Navarro has struggled in the Charleston Open. Can she ever win the Charleston Open? Pegula reckons she can.

“I’m sure she’s going to probably win this title at some point, and that’ll be really cool. But I think her story has probably really inspired him to grow the sport, and I think that’s amazing, having a daughter that is as successful as she is, it’s cool to see him support that sport,” Pegula said about her compatriot.

Pegula is hopeful that Ben Navarro’s bold decision will encourage other tournaments to follow in the billionaire’s footsteps.

Was it the first time, though, that we saw Jess shower praise on Emma? Well, even in September 2024, Pegula shared her thoughts on her compatriot’s rapid rise. She said, “I love Emma so much, she’s hilarious. Obviously, her and Coco had a tough match [but] either way, I think Emma’s been playing some really good tennis. She’s really, really good, a great athlete, mentally stable and she’s only going to get better. I think she’s going to be a threat for the next ten years, or however long she plays, to definitely be a slam contender.”

According to Pegula, Emma Navarro is currently “one of the hottest players on Tour right now” and she can be a “serious threat” for her opponents in the near future.

Interestingly, this decision to increase the prize money at the Charleston Open comes at a time when just a few days ago, Top 20 WTA and ATP players, including Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro, signed a letter to the organizers of the four Grand Slams demanding an increase in the prize money. What do Navarro and Pegula have to say about that?

Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro share their thoughts on the letter sent to the four Grand Slams by Top 20 WTA and ATP stars

Players like Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro, Jannik Sinner, and many more recently joined forces to seek an increase in prize money of the Slams, more financial support for the player welfare programs, and a say in “decisions that directly impact competition.”

During an interview with the Tennis Channel, when Pegula was asked to share her thoughts on what she thinks could be the next thing that she’d like to see in terms of women’s sports getting to another level, she said, “I could go really in-depth, but I think just continuing to keep growing at least for tennis revenue shares at the slams. Not just us but the men as well!“

Continuing further, she added, “Getting TV deals bigger, getting more exposure because I really do think it’s, if not the most entertaining women’s sport.” Pegula even went on to highlight how women’s tennis has improved nowadays, bringing more excitement to the sport than even the men’s events. “There’s so much depth, and you never know what’s going to happen every single week. So, it’s entertaining.”

Even Emma Navarro revealed what prompted her to put her name in that letter signed by the world’s top tennis players. According to Navarro, “I talked a little bit to the other players about it and felt like it was a good idea to sign. I think there have been some sort of unfair pay ratios – I don’t know the correct terminology – but in the past. I think it’s a good cause to come together as players and make sure we’re getting treated fairly.“

Amid this controversy, how positive do you think this step is from Ben Navarro to announce equal prize money for men and women in the Charleston Open? Share your thoughts in the comments below.