Two-time US Open runner-up Caroline Wozniacki has voiced her support for gender equality in a video published on The Players Tribune.
The world No.15 has become the latest person to participate in the websites ‘Stand Up’ campaign, which encourages athletes to promote ‘unity, togetherness and love’. In a 90 second video, Wozniacki spoke about the experiences of her mother when she was working as a lifeguard.
“My mum was working actually as a lifeguard and one of our best friends, or family friends, he was also a lifeguard in the same pool, in the same complex and my mum was earning 5% less than him.” Wozniacki recounted.
In the world of tennis, gender equality has been a hot subject in recent years. Since 2007 every grand slam event has paid equal prize money to both male and female players. The concept started in 1973 when the US Open became the first major to introduce equal pay. Last year Novak Djokovic came under fire when he suggested that men should get paid more due to their bigger audience share, before later clarifying his comments.
Speaking about the issue, Wozniacki praised players such as Djokovic and Roger Federer for standing up for equal pay in the sport.
“The men has really helped us as well push for the equal prize money.” She said. “In my line of work the men have helped us push for the equal prize money. Someone like Novak Djokovic or Federer was really vocal.”
