World number 7 Caroline Garcia believes ‘there is a long way to go’ in the fight for equal prize money in tennis.
The 24 year old recently spoke with French Newspaper L’Equipe about how prize money is still not equal between the Men and Women in Tennis. ‘From the financial point of view, women’s sports is making its way and it is starting to exist by itself,’ Said Garcia, who has gained more than 7 Million dollars in prize money.
‘As for tennis, in the Grand Slams, men and women earn the same amount. If we compare international tournaments, the difference in prize money is still clear. You play as many matches as guys but we earn less than them. It’s neither “normal” nor “abnormal”. But, it’s even better than before, we don’t complain. In tennis, we are happy to change things and to be pioneers, even if there is still a way to go.’
Garcia, who has won 5 titles in her career, also claimed in the interview that money doesn’t motivate her to play the sport, “I don’t wake up every day saying: ‘If I win this tournament, I will earn one million.’ This doesn’t motivate me. This is not a sport where you have the guarantee of getting your cheque at the end of any week.”
The 24 year old has had an amazing last 6 months, however she doesn’t put her good form down to her wanting to earn more money in tennis,“Sometimes, you leave the tournament after spending more money than when you won! If you have a problem, if you are injured for six months, you don’t earn! It’s true that when you win in Beijing and take one million, it’s a lot of money. What do I do it with it? I am not a miser, but I don’t see myself spending €10,000 for stupid things. Making money is not my main motivation.”
Analysis
It is clear that Garcia feels that some of the lower ranked players should be earning the same amount as the men do at those smaller tournaments. However the feeling is that this equality that most of the female players want may be a long way away, so maybe they should appreciate the fact that tennis has come a long way.
Although Garcia’s frustration is clear, it is good to know that her head is in the right place and her motivation is on her results and wanting to improve rather than the money itself.
Garcia’s next tournament is Indian Wells, which takes place on the 8th of March.
