In the world of professional sports, few decisions have had as lasting an impact as the one made by the US Open in 1973. That year, the New York Grand Slam became the first to award equal pay to men and women, a move that not only marked a turning point in tennis, but also set a precedent for sport around the world.
The announcement that the men’s and women’s singles champions would receive the same prize money, a figure that today reaches $3.7 million for each winner, was revolutionary at the time. In a context in which gender equality was still far from being realized in many areas, tennis took a step forward that would take decades to be replicated by its peers.
Billie Jean King: The voice that challenged the system
Behind this historic decision was a tireless woman in her fight, Billie Jean King. At the time, the American tennis player was not only one of the best in the world, but also a committed activist for women’s rights. Her stance was clear: if there was no equality in prizes, she would not play the US Open.
The pressure was effective. The tournament listened to her plea and decided to equalize the prizes for both genders. It was a brave gesture for the time, especially in a sport that, like many others, was dominated by conservative structures. King, who would go on to win the tournament that same year, achieved not only one more title, but a symbolic victory that transcended sport.
A change that was slow to spread
Although today it is unthinkable that the four Grand Slams do not award equal prizes to their champions and finalists, the reality is that the road to equality was long and uneven.Wimbledon, the most traditional tournament on the circuit, took no less than 34 years to follow the example of the US Open. It was not until 2007 that the London grass court tournament matched the figures between men and women. Roland Garros and the Australian Open were also not pioneers. Both implemented equal prize money in 2007, 39 years after the US tournament.
During that period, the US Open held firm to its policy, cementing its reputation as the most progressive Grand Slam. Today, all participants in the singles and doubles draws receive the same remuneration regardless of gender, a right that is considered basic, but one that had to be fought for.
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