World Number One Swiatek Calls For Prize Money Equality

World number one Iga Swiatek on Wednesday called for prize money equality between WTA and ATP events. The reigning French Open and US Open champion is preparing to compete at the Madrid Open after retaining her Stuttgart title last weekend, defeating world number two Aryna Sabalenka in the final. Swiatek won a little more than 100,000 euros ($111,000), which some contrasted to Carlos Alcaraz's 475,000 euros ($526,000) haul for triumphing at the Barcelona Open.

"I think (tennis) is better than most sports, but still there is a lot we can work on in terms of, you know, getting equal prize money on some WTA tournaments compared to ATP on the same level," Swiatek told a news conference Wednesday.

"Grand Slams are already even, as we know. That's nice, but for sure it would be good if WTA would focus on that, but I don't really want to get into that, because it's a lot of business and sometimes politics.

"I don't think I have a lot of influence. I just can say that it would be nice for our sport if it was equal, especially because we kind of do the same work."

- Consistency -

The Polish top seed in Madrid says the women's game offers more consistency than the men's now and can create even higher emotions.

"I also get people who are saying that men's tennis is nicer to watch and guys can do more because they are physically and biologically stronger," said Swiatek.

"But I think there were a lot of people, for example a couple of years ago, who were saying that (the women's game is) not consistent and that's a shame and it should be better, but right now basically I think we are even more consistent than the guys with our game.

"Watching women's tennis gives the same emotions, and sometimes even like more emotions, because we