Iga Swiatek gives view on whether men’s and women’s tennis players are now treated equally

Iga Swiatek gave her take on the current state of men’s and women’s tennis following her win over Maria Sakkari at Indian Wells.

She had lost to Sakkari in Doha last month, but turned things around with a 6-3, 6-2 victory this time.

Speaking after the match, the world number two was asked about both the result and other topics across tennis.

One of the questions was whether Swiatek now considers men’s and women’s tennis to be treated equally. She responded by indicating that there might still be one area where they are not.

Iga Swiatek suggests player requests could still be an area of inequality

Swiatek has already made a huge impact on the women’s game, collecting six Grand Slam titles by the age of 24.

The Polish star has not shied away from speaking out on various issues in tennis, including her opposition to women playing best-of-five sets.

Following her win over Sakkari, Swiatek acknowledged that while she feels positive about how women’s players are treated overall in the tennis landscape, there might still be differences when it comes to schedule requests.

“Honestly, I don’t look at the schedule from this perspective, because, for example for you guys, you can say that, oh, night session is the best match to play, but I want to play day session,” she began by saying.

“So, like, if it’s not equal and I’m getting day session, I’ll be fine with it (smiling). So I really didn’t analyze it from this perspective, because I never felt the need to. You kind of just see the schedule and you go with it. Also, sometimes I don’t even know when other players are going or guys, so…

“Hmm. I think the only thing that where inequality could occur is the requests, but I have no idea what other players request, so I have no way to judge that.

“I have never been a guy, I’m not on ATP Tour, so I don’t know how they’re treated. But I feel like we have good treatment, so there is nothing I would say is bad, you know, about our life on tour.

“It’s tough, obviously, because this sport is tough, but no, we play the same tournaments, we’re in the same environment, so I don’t know what particularly could be unequal.”

Novak Djokovic comments on progress of gender equality in tennis

Novak Djokovic addressed the topic of equality in tennis after his win over Aleksandar Kovacevic at Indian Wells.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion was asked how the relationship between the two tours has changed during his more than two decades as a professional.

“Well, it’s not what I think. It’s the fact. Women’s tennis has been by far the most successful, I guess, global woman’s sport and also most paid, so it’s great to see that.”

“I’m happy for that, and I’m proud of that. I think it’s in a good place.”

These comments differ from those that Djokovic made after winning the Indian Wells title in 2016 when he suggested men should be paid more than women due to selling more tickets.

“I have been through that process, as well, so I understand how much power and energy WTA and all the advocates for equal prize money have invested in order to reach that,” he said back then.

“I applaud them for that. I honestly do. They fought for what they deserve, and they got it. On the other hand, I think that our men’s tennis world, ATP world, should fight for more, because the stats are showing that we have much more spectators on the men’s tennis matches.

“I think that’s one of the, you know, reasons why maybe we should get awarded more. But, again, you know, we can’t complain because we also have great prize money in men’s tennis is at the right moment in the right time.”

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