The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) announced that beginning in 2027, all combined WTA 1000 events will feature equal prize money for men and women. This decision marks a significant milestone for the organization, which has advocated for gender parity since its inception in 1973.
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Currently, three out of seven combined events still maintain a pay disparity. However, in line with the new initiative, events such as the Italian Open, Cincinnati Open, and Canadian Open will align with other tournaments that already offer equal compensation, including the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells and the Miami Open.
Billie Jean King, a key figure in women's professional tennis, has often highlighted the pay inequality from her time, recalling that she received $600 for winning the Italian Open in 1970, while her male counterpart earned $3,500. The 2027 adjustments will ensure that women receive equal earnings at these prestigious tournaments.
In conjunction with this move, the WTA plans to reduce the mandatory participation requirements for top-ranked players, requiring them to compete in only four WTA 500 events instead of six.
The 2027 calendar will span 55 events across 26 countries, culminating in the WTA Finals, which will be hosted in Charlotte, North Carolina. This reform aims to combine a historic pay milestone with a more manageable schedule for the athletes.