Iga Swiatek on Financial Disparities in Tennis
Iga Swiatek recently shared her insights regarding the financial disparities between male and female tennis players in light of the latest earnings report from Forbes. This prestigious media outlet has once again released its annual rankings of the highest-earning athletes, drawing significant attention, especially in the realm of professional tennis.
Top Earners in Men’s and Women’s Tennis
Leading the pack for men were Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who have established a stronghold in men’s tennis, each claiming victories in the last seven Grand Slams as of the start of 2024. Despite a slight decline in his performance since a dominant 2023, Novak Djokovic remains one of the most financially successful players thanks to his enduring reputation as one of the greatest players of all time, which keeps him in high demand among sponsors.
On the women’s side, Coco Gauff emerged as the highest earner, ranking third overall with earnings of approximately $37.4 million—$25 million of which was secured through off-court endeavors. Gauff’s impressive rise to fame at just 15 years old, combined with her engaging personality, has made her a prime candidate for marketing partnerships. In 2024, she was recognized as the highest-paid female athlete, further solidifying her marketability.
Following Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka and Qinwen Zheng received impressive earnings of $27.4 million and $26.1 million respectively, with Zheng being notable as China’s leading tennis figure, opening more sponsorship opportunities. Swiatek, for her part, ranked seventh with earnings totaling $24 million. Despite the presence of four women on the list, it was observed that the top spots continued to be dominated by male players, with Alcaraz and Sinner significantly outpacing their WTA counterparts in income.
Swiatek’s Call for Change
At a press conference held during the 2025 US Open, Swiatek addressed this ongoing issue, acknowledging the strides made by female players over the years due to the pioneering efforts of figures like Billie Jean King and Venus Williams. She remarked,
“We’re in a relatively good position, but there’s a clear difference in earnings. This isn’t a problem one person can solve—it’s a collective responsibility to strive for change.”
Although supportive of the dialogue surrounding wage equity, Swiatek raised questions about the accuracy of the figures reported by Forbes, admitting,
“I honestly haven’t looked into my earnings at all. I’m unsure how these numbers are derived given that many player contracts remain private. It’s likely a question better suited for an agent.”
While tennis continues to champion its achievements regarding equality, Swiatek emphasized the importance of ongoing conversations aimed at addressing the existing wage gap, promoting further equity in the sport.
