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Women Tennis Players Not Equal To Men Tennis Players @ Wimbledon ~ The More Things Change The More Things Remain The Same

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William's SistersIt was not so long ago that the top female tennis players at Wimbledon had to bang their rackets for equal pay. Their male counterparts had been enjoying significantly higher earnings, no doubt a legacy of days when men rule. Recent reports coming out of the Wimbledon tournament has unearthed the same ancient chauvinistic thinking.

The Miami Herald has highlighted the story that defending Wimbledon champion Venus Williams has had to play on Court 2 eight times in the last five years. In that period she would have been the defending champion on two occasions. In stark contrast her male counterpart Roger Federer has played continuously on Court #1 since 2003.

Read the Miami Herald article which outlines the shoddy treatment meted out to top female players at lawn tennis most prestigious tournament.

The BU household rejected the feeble excuses by the Wimbledon management; we however have to highlight Roger Federer’s perspective on the matter. We would have thought that the gentlemanly thing for Federer to do would be to express sympathy and solidarity with his female counterparts. Instead this is what he had to say:

They can put us at Aorangi or Roehampton [practice courts] if they want to. I wouldn’t be disappointed if they put me on Court 2.” And then, in the same breath, he said: “I hope that day will not come for me that I will have to play on Court 2. I understand there’s a little bit of disappointment [for Williams], but I don’t think it has anything to do with disrespect.

A BU household member had a national tennis ranking a few years ago and we have remained avid fans, and they say chivalry is not dead.

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77 responses to “Women Tennis Players Not Equal To Men Tennis Players @ Wimbledon ~ The More Things Change The More Things Remain The Same”

  1. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Women don’t play they same game as men. Why should they get paid more.

  2. Pat Avatar
    Pat

    Anonymous:

    Female players are not asking for MORE money. They are asking for EQUAL PAY for entertainment of EQUAL VALUE.

    After reading the article, I would not call it disrepect. I would call it sexism with doses of racism thrown in.

  3. Women Tennis Players Not Equal To Men Tennis Players @ Wimbledon ~ The More Things Change The More Things Remain The Same

    […] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptIt was not so long ago that the top female tennis players at Wimbledon had to bang their rackets for equal pay. Their male counterparts had been enjoying significantly higher earnings, no doubt a legacy of days when men rule. Recent reports coming out of the Wimbledon tournament has unearthed the same ancient chauvinistic thinking. The Miami Herald has highlighted the story that defending Wimbledon champion Venus Williams has had to play on Court 2 eight times in the last five years. In that period she would have been the defending champion on two occasions. In stark contrast her male counterpart Roger Federer has played continuously on Court #1 since 2003. Read the Miami Herald article which outlines the shoddy treatment meted out to top female players at lawn tennis most prestigious tournament. The BU household rejected the feeble excuses by the Wimbledon management; we however have to highlight Roger Federer’s perspective on […] […]

  4. David Avatar
    David

    To our minds what is interesting about this story is the fact that this ‘sexist’ behaviour has been happening in the UK in 2008 during a major sporting event. Why has the Press turned a blind eye up to now? In a land where advocacy is present more than other places why the silence?

  5. Bimbro Avatar
    Bimbro

    David // July 1, 2008 at 11:28 pm

    To our minds what is interesting about this story is the fact that this ’sexist’ behaviour has been happening in the UK in 2008 during a major sporting event. Why has the Press turned a blind eye up to now? In a land where advocacy is present more than other places why the silence?

    *********************

    Dave, could it be for the simple reason that men’s tennis, as men’s football, is simply, more popular than women’s tennis!

    I think ur umbrage is OTT, on this occasion. In my experience these matters are decided by the normal, interaction of the laws of demand and supply and have little or nothing to do with sexism or racism. Did the white, female tennis players enjoy any higher-status playing conditions than the Williams sisters? I should be surprised if they did!

  6. Inkwell Avatar
    Inkwell

    BU

    Scheduling both Venus and Serena to play their singles as well as their doubles matches on Court 2, which for good reason is called “The Graveyard of Champions” sure makes it look as though The All England Tennis Club was doing all it could to make sure she didn’t progress in the championships.

    Add that to the fact that Venus, the defending champion, who has won the tournament on no less than four occasions in the last eight years, is inexplicably seeded seven so that she would meet higher seeded players early in the tournament and that she and Serena won the doubles title twice, 2000 and 2002, but are seeded eleven, and you have a picture that is questionable, to say the least.

    My suspicion is that they have a problem with Richard Williams. His appearance and antics I suspect are offensive to the hoity toity British upper social echelons which populate Center Court and they don’t want him being an embarrassment come Saturday.

    Too bad! They will just have to smile their false smiles and show us their much vaunted stiff upper lip.

  7. Yardbroom Avatar
    Yardbroom

    Generally the top rated male players attract more spectators than the top rated female spectators. Consequently they are placed on what are euphemistically called the “show courts.” Over recent years this was reflected in the prize money paid – higher to men than women – of course this has now changed. One argument for the previous situation was that men played the best of five sets, women played the best of three.

    Another factor in the allocation of courts, a rated British player -Andy Murray – for example has not got to be in the world’s top ten. He will be allocated a show court because of the number of spectators who will watch his match.

    It is not unknown for a television programme to be rearranged, if a top rated British player is doing well in a live transmission.

    It is rumoured that for todays match Murray vs Nadal, on the black market tickets are being exchanged for £2,000.

    I would be reluctant to run away with the idea that racism is evident here. Popularity, expected number of spectators, public interest, British players on the show courts are all factors.

    Jelena Jankovic a Serb, the N02 seed – higher than Venus or Serena Williams – had to play her game on Court N0 18. She remarked after she was “almost playing in the parking lot. I almost needed a helicopter to get to my court”.

    Serena and Venus have not played as much this year as they usuall do, hence their low world rankings and seeding.

    Their father is a different issue Wimbledon has put up with him for all these years, and the family have had a lot of deserved success there.

    I do not think there is any racism here, but then there are only a few things in life that you can be sure of.

  8. me Avatar
    me

    As an avid follower of tennis i just wnat to clear up a couple of misconceptions.
    Womens tennis since the advent of the Williams sisters and martina Hingis et al has been more popular in both in terms of TV ratings and ticket sales.
    The Williams in particular represent a major draw at ANY tournament ( as do Maria Sharopova, Ana and a few others).
    Putting Venus and Serena on court so ofetn does not compute in any way really. These ladies command very high APPEARNCE fees world wide!

    Now Roger is a big draw as is Nadal and several other mens players ( andy roddick, james blake). Murray will draw the english so no problems with him being on the show court. But why relagte the williams to Court 2???

  9. Livinginbarbados Avatar
    Livinginbarbados

    Read the London Times, http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article4245129.ece, where the story has been covered.

    Racism? Perhaps, every major player put out to a non-show court was NOT British? Like the French did with their players in last month’s French Open. Britain’s major player has had all of his game on Centre Court. Shameless those Brits! But they also delayed a major new TV program to show the end of Andy Murray’s match. Wonder if we’d do the same in the Caribbean for cricket? I remember transmissions being cut so that the TV schedule of “All of our lives” or some soap opera could be aired.

    Sexism? Hardly. True, Federer and Nadal have not been put out to no. 2, but fact is they are the box office draws. Part of the fun of Wimbledon is seeing the top players on the non-show courts where you sometimes dont even need to get into a stadium to see the match fully?

    Equal pay for equal entertainment/value? Not giving my personal view, but look at the matches that bring in the spectators.

  10. me Avatar
    me

    I maintain that the Williams are a HUGE draw!

  11. The Devil Avatar
    The Devil

    I’d pay good money to see Serena … even play tennis! LOL.

  12. me Avatar
    me

    she is the cover girl for Ebony this month!

  13. She not heavy she's my sister.. Avatar
    She not heavy she’s my sister..

    “She is one of our biggest medal hopes and I do wish her well. In spite of the setback she can still perform at the top of her game. I hope she can still find the necessary opportunities to train and race.”
    ………………………
    This is Esther Suckoo reaction to Jade Bailey being disallowed a Germany visa to train. This statement sums up why the nation’s sports is in disarray. Suckoo you are the sports minister . You should be assuring Miss Bailey that you and the Government will do whatever it takes within its capability to get her to Beijing. Mis Bailey already promised to give her all for a medal.What about the useless Barbados Olympic Association? They seem to be purely interested in lavish parties for big shots and travelling first class.

  14. Bimbro Avatar
    Bimbro

    The Devil // July 2, 2008 at 8:49 am

    I’d pay good money to see Serena … even play tennis! LOL.

    **************************

    Doan tell me that Bajans beginning to get a sense of humour. But whaever nex!!!!

    Duh might be hope for lil Buhbadus yet, den!!!!

  15. The Devil Avatar
    The Devil

    Poor Minister Byer-Suckoo. She seems like a nice lady, probably a competent doctor, means well.

  16. me Avatar
    me

    She everyhwre, in every paper and pun my TV every nite… to say what?

  17. Real Ting Avatar
    Real Ting

    ink well

    Add that to the fact that Venus, the defending champion, who has won the tournament on no less than four occasions in the last eight years, is inexplicably seeded seven so that she would meet higher seeded players early in the tournament and that she and Serena won the doubles title twice, 2000 and 2002, but are seeded eleven, and you have a picture that is questionable, to say the least.

    ————————————————————

    not really you know ; only the i,2,3 and 4 seeds are assured of being separated until the semifinals. All of the other seeds and players go into the ‘draw” and it is the luck of the draw from there on. for example the number 1 seed may have in her quarter of the draw the numbers 5,7, 11, 14, 17 and 20 seeds while the number 2 seed may have only the 10, 16 28 and 30 seeds in her quarter. That is why you hear some “draws’ being classified as a “tough draw” or a “brutal draw” so I wouldnt read too much into their seedings.

    For the record I do think that the Williams’ sisters because of their record at wimbledon should have been seeded higher. the problem is though that the organisers just chose to stick with the world rankings. this is an ongoing dilemma in seedings for majors whether seeding should be done according to the official ATP rankings or whether performance on the specialist surfaces like clay or grass should be given a heavier weighting in determining the seedings. It would be interesting to determine whether Federer or Nadal was ranked No. 1 seed for the French Open, after all Federer is the undisputable longstanding world # 1 while Nadal is the unquestioned King of clay.

  18. Real Ting Avatar
    Real Ting

    for all of those who are championing the fact that the williams are a huge draw, this may be true to you but the undisputable fact is that male tennis is far more competitive and appealing than women’s tennis to the average afficionado. there is more power speed and skill in the mens game; more endurance, stamina and fight as well. hence the fact that both white stars and the williams were relegated to Court 2. i think Sharapova and another top seed lost on Court 2 this year. It is called the graveyard of champions because of the high number of highseeds who have lost there. this suggests that not just the Williams have been relegated to that court among top players.

    there is no racism or sexism in placing them there.

  19. David Avatar
    David

    We agree with me’s position. The William’s sisters is a big drawing card any place any time. It is not about their seedings this year only it is about their legacy in the tournament as well. They deserve more respect.

  20. Livinginbarbados Avatar
    Livinginbarbados

    Women’s tennis is odd. In regular season games (WTA circuit) it’s best of 3 sets; in Grand Slams (like Wimbledon) it’s best of 3 sets. For men in regular season (ATP circuit) it’s best of 3 sets but in Grand Slams best of 5. If things are relatively the same (for which equal pay would argue), why not have the same format across the board, with women playing best of 5 in Grand Slam? Or is it that women’s tennis is better value. You only need to see best of 3 to feel happy, but for men we may need to get dragged out for 5 sets.

    One only has to look at the schedule for Wimbledon to see that this time round the Williams can only meet in the singles final. I hope that if they meet in the finals they take their revenge over the court 2 business and play patty-cake for 2 sets, and are tied, then play on Centre Court till dark in the 3rd set and force the committee to reschedule the continuation back on Centre Court the next day. That would be cute!

  21. me Avatar
    me

    Until Rafeal Nadal actually put up a challenge against federer over the last 2 yeras mens tennis had dropped sigbificantly in the ratings. Whenever the Williams are on court people tune in. I have seen them at the US open and trust me on this people come out to seethem ( whether they like them or just wnat to see them get beat which happens quite often)….

    Women do not fare well in 5 sets…not a good look for women. But they can pack alot of excitement in 3 sets. .. the games are different in that women rally much more then men so their points ofetn last lonegr …

    The Williams especailly the defending chamapion should not be on court 2 so often!

  22. Inkwell Avatar
    Inkwell

    Real Ting

    Last year at Wimbledon, Venus won the tournament from a seeding of 28, if I recall correctly. You think the organizers would have taken note this year? Don’t tell me they base theirs on world rankings. case in point, Baghdatis world ranking 25, Wimbledon ranking 10. Why?

    The ranking system is unprofessional. This year Nadal was ranked 2 at the French after Federer, 1, even though he had won it the previous three times, beating the same Federer in ’06 and ’07. Crazy!! What does he have to do to be ranked 1 at the French?

  23. Livinginbarbados Avatar
    Livinginbarbados

    Inkwell, the Williams sisters’ ranking fell because they stopped playing so they could not accumulate point; they were busy modelling and building their businesses. David Nalbandian had same situation as did Agassi back in the day. Your low ranking does not stop you being a good/great player,and it can mess up the show because your low seeding puts you against a high seed earlier than ability and form could justify.

    You will see the reason for the rankings if you do a little checking on the ‘net. There are different ranking systems for men and women at Wimbledon. For men there is a formula that use world ranking, recent performance on grass, etc., but no adjustment by seeding committee. For women, it’s world ranking and if the committee feels that some adjustment is needed.

    Most of the tournaments just follow the world rankings; Wimbledon is different. Being ranked 1 or 2 does not matter in the sense as you will only meet in the final.

    Likewise the world rankings follow a clear formula based on points for tournament wins, and how you do this year relative to how you did the previous year; also explained on ATP’s website.

  24. Inkwell Avatar
    Inkwell

    I am well aware of the systems used for rankings. I am saying that they produce unrealistic results. Case in stupid point, they don’t seed Safin and he proceeds to knock out the no. 3 seed in round 2.

    Even John McEnroe, doing commentary on NBC yesterday was highly critical.

  25. me Avatar
    me

    there is no excuse for seeding the williams that low give n that they have been playing pretty decent tennis of late AND they Always do well at Wimbledon!

  26. garry Avatar
    garry

    At the end of the day the points system means nothing, the player that wants to win the most and plays the best tennis will win, it is as simple as that! When woman start playing 5 sets like men then they should start getting paid the same.

    I personally find woman’s tennis more exciting and watch able than men’s tennis, nothing quite like watching a good looking lady running around a tennis court……

  27. me Avatar
    me

    Venus is through to her 7th final at Wimbledon in TWO SETS!

  28. Real Ting Avatar
    Real Ting

    congrats to her but to inkwell and others understand that it doesnt matter whether you were ranked at 6 or 60 that will not change who you will play as seeds are NOT separated in the draw unless they are seeded 1-4 and they are assured of not meeting each oother until the semis. this restriction does not apply to any other seeds or players.

  29. Pat Avatar
    Pat

    Well, Serena is now through. They will play each other for the Venus Rose Bowl. I will not miss this match for a pot of gold.

  30. David Avatar
    David

    Hopefully the story of the Williams sisters will be immortalize in movies, books and folklore. Given their background they could have easily become giddy with success and gone the route of many of the child prodigies gone before in tennis and other sports. When we see the Williams girls on the court it becomes more than tennis for the BU household.

    May their achievements inspire others who are only in a position to dream.

  31. The Devil Avatar
    The Devil

    Venus vs Serena ! Can I have both of them…?LOL. BTW what ever became of their father?

  32. David Avatar
    David

    We are taking bets and our money is on Serena!

  33. Real Ting Avatar
    Real Ting

    u would have to be de devil in truth if you could handle both of those ladies. lol

  34. The Devil Avatar
    The Devil

    To the Real Ting

    I know I would dead trying but that is one time the Devil would be in Heaven.! LOL

    before any sour puss wants to crucify me (and as one could guess that Crucification thing really scares the hell out a devil), IMHO the Williams sisters are magnificient athletes in terms of both the physical and mental approaches to their game and overall a credit to their family and their country as well as to the sport of tennis.

    My money is on Venus… no Serena.. yes Venus ..then again maybe Serena …shucks!!!

  35. me Avatar
    me

    I want Venus to win but she seesm to lose to Serena psychologically

  36. Micro Mock Engineer Avatar
    Micro Mock Engineer

    … my money is on Venus David.

  37. Pat Avatar
    Pat

    Devil.

    Richard was there for the semi-finals and after Serena won, left to go back to the US. He said he is not going to watch one point scored. It is too painful to watch them beating up on each other.

    My money is on Serena. I think she is the better player.

  38. me Avatar
    me

    Serena is on fire unfortunately for venus

  39. The Devil Avatar
    The Devil

    Venus, Venus, Venus…..good for her (fifth wimbledon title)!

  40. Micro Mock Engineer Avatar
    Micro Mock Engineer

    LOL me… the race is not for the swift…

    Pay up David! and me (you should have to pay double)! and Pat!

    Actually, I’ll give you a chance to go double or nothing on tomorrow’s outcome…

    …my money’s on Nadal.

  41. David Avatar
    David

    @MME

    We congratualte you on the winning pick and race to recoup at your offer of double or nothing on Nadal. It will be Federer cake walk!

  42. Bush tea Avatar
    Bush tea

    MME – good pick.

    …pity you won’t be going two for two with your peak oil call…. that call is dead wrong LOL

  43. Micro Mock Engineer Avatar
    Micro Mock Engineer

    Touché BT… I was taking a little breather from the peak oil debate (and rearranging some business now that oil has topped $145… LOL), but will respond to ST’s last post… maybe I can even get you, ST and GM to agree to an appropriate wager that reflects our divergent views on the subject.

  44. Pat Avatar
    Pat

    MME,

    It was luck! However, I will go with Federer. If this match is as good as it was about two years ago, there will be no loser. That match lasted five hours. It was hynoptic, I did not want to get up to go p.

  45. Micro Mock Engineer Avatar
    Micro Mock Engineer

    Federer and Nadal are such incredible athletes! A cakewalk huh David? 🙂

    … David, Pat and me (and I suspect BT, although he was non-committal) I forgive your debt in its entirety.

    Now, if only I could help at least one of BU’s ‘Peakers’ see the light… how about it BT… gonna help me make it 3 for 3?

  46. David Avatar
    David

    We yield Sire!!!

  47. Pat Avatar
    Pat

    MME, yuh good. Twice is not luck. I will drink a dragon stout for you.

  48. Bill Avatar
    Bill

    This isn’t about discrimination. Men’s tennis is simply more popular than women’s tennis. Tickets are more expensive for men’s matches, and TV ratings are continually higher for them.

    Female players really have no legit complaint. They are paid equally despite playing far fewer sets over the course of the tournament. As long as they play only best-of-three, their game will not be the same spectacle and shouldn’t get Centre Court attention.

  49. Sally Avatar
    Sally

    Males play five sets of harder, faster tennis.
    They draw bigger crowds, they increase the ATP’s economy.
    They do more work, they deserve more money!
    It’s ridiculous that women should be paid the same.
    And I myself am a woman, so i cannot be accused of being biased, feminists are just whiney little girls, terrible images to be associated with the female stereotype.

  50. Micro Mock Engineer Avatar
    Micro Mock Engineer

    Wait David… you think we looking at a repeat of the men and ladies Wimbledon finals in Beijing? Whu loss… that would be sweet fuh days.

    Anyone taking bets on the outcome of the 100m final? 🙂

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