Naomi Osaka says the idea of extending the length of women’s matches at major events would ‘change the structure of tennis’ after a top ATP player suggested the idea.
The former world No.1 was questioned about the topic following her 6-3, 6-4, win over Alison Riske in the fourth round of the Miami Open. Earlier in the week Stefanos Tsitsipas mentioned the idea of best-of-five matches being played by female players in line with the equal prize money which is offered.
“I don’t want to be controversial or anything. There is also the topic of equal pay and everything, women getting equal pay for playing best-of-three, then getting equal pay for playing best-of-five. I don’t know. There are also a lot of scientists and statisticians, whatever, out there. I’ve been told that women have better endurance than men. I don’t know.” Said Tsitsipas.
“Maybe they can also play best-of-five, I guess. For Grand Slams, best-of-five, I like it.”
There has long been a debate over if men and women should play the same format of matches at Grand Slam events with some saying that both should play best-of-three matches as they do on the ATP and WTA Tour. An idea which has been dismissed by many of the sports traditionalists.
As for Osaka, she has has down played Tsitsipas’ idea by saying such a decision would have a big impact on the women’s Tour and doesn’t see it happening anytime soon. The Japanese player has played in 21 Grand Slam main draws so far in her career, winning the US Open twice and the Australian Open twice.
“Does he want to play nine sets? If he tries to extend mine, I’m going to extend his,” Osaka told reporters on Monday.
“I don’t know. I feel like that would change the structure of tennis. Like people will start doing things differently in the gym and stuff like that.
“It will probably also take a very long time to be implemented, but also, a man is talking about a women’s sport, so I don’t think his idea is going to go through.”
The first major to offer equal prize money was the US Open back in 1973. However, it wasn’t until 2007 when men and women were given the same prize money at all four events with Wimbledon being the last to do so.
Osaka argues that the revenue generated by the WTA is enough justification for there to be equal pay on the Tour. According to Forbes, five out of the 10 highest-paid female athletes of 2021 was tennis players.
“I don’t want to be rude. I’m really trying to structure this in a way that’s not like off-putting, but I think it’s like decades of hard work,” she said.
“Up until now, women have been putting in the work. It’s not just like, oh, it’s come out of nowhere that you get paid the same.
“The history of the WTA has been leading them into advocating for equal pay with Billie Jean King, Venus (Williams), Serena (Williams) all that.
“I also think ticket sales are important. I think the WTA has really good up-and-comers, the No.1 player in the world, Iga (Swiatek), is like 20 right? I don’t know. It’s who people find interesting. Coco (Gauff) is amazing as well.
“For me, I feel like the revenue that you generate, like ticket sales, is very important, and I think the WTA is doing a really good job at that.”
In Miami, Osaka will play Danielle Collins in the quarter-finals on Wednesday. She is yet to drop a set after three matches played.
