The BBC has landed itself in hot water with the tennis community after posting a tweet concerning Serena Williams’ semifinal win over Elena Vesnina at Wimbledon.
The world No.1 required only 48 minutes on the court to defeat the Russian 6-2, 6-0, in one of the most one-sided semifinal matches in the tournament’s history. It example of the dominance of the 34-year-old, who will now be bidding to win her 22nd grand slam title. The victory is one to celebrate, however, the BBC unfortunately used the win to bring up the equal prize money debate.
Williams has recently spoken out about prize money and stated that she believes that she deserves to be paid the same as the men. An understandable request by a player who has spent over 300 weeks as world No.1.
“I’ve been working at this (playing tennis) since I was three years old. Actually, maybe younger, because I have a picture where I’m in a stroller.” Williams said about her life in tennis.
“Basically, my whole life I’ve been doing this. I haven’t had a life. I don’t think I would deserve to be paid less because of my sex, or anyone else for that matter in any job.”
It isn’t just the American support equal pay, Twitter users have also blasted the BBC for their publication of the tweet.
Me at the @BBCSport for that irresponsible title regarding Serena, WTA and equal pay… pic.twitter.com/0a98np2La0
— Joseph Kocharian (@JosephKocharian) 7 July 2016
Absurd. Simply absurd. Think of this when you consider what these amazing women have to put up with. https://t.co/qzAbTqOiII
— Courtney Nguyen (@FortyDeuceTwits) 8 July 2016
The BBC has since removed the tweet from their account. The debate concerning equal pay has been a hot topic in tennis this year following controversial comments made by the former director of the BNP Paribas Open, Raymond Moore. Moore suggested that women ‘should be on their knees’ thanking god that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal was born. The backlash resulted in his resignation.
Equal prize money in grand slam tennis has been in place since 2007. The US Open was the first major to introduce the same rate in 1973 and Wimbledon was the last in 2007.
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