In the world {of professional} sports activities, few selections have had as lasting an influence because the one made by the US Open in 1973. That yr, the New York Grand Slam grew to become the primary to award equal pay to women and men, a transfer that not solely marked a turning level in tennis, but additionally set a precedent for sport all over the world.
The announcement that the lads’s and ladies’s singles champions would obtain the identical prize cash, a determine that at this time reaches $3.7 million for every winner, was revolutionary on the time. In a context by which gender equality was nonetheless removed from being realized in lots of areas, tennis took a step ahead that may take many years to be replicated by its friends.
Emma Raducanu calls for youngster removing for distraction
Billie Jean King: The voice that challenged the system
Behind this historic determination was a tireless girl in her battle, Billie Jean King. On the time, the American tennis participant was not solely among the best on the planet, but additionally a dedicated activist for girls’s rights. Her stance was clear: if there was no equality in prizes, she wouldn’t play the US Open.
The stress was efficient. The event listened to her plea and determined to equalize the prizes for each genders. It was a courageous gesture for the time, particularly in a sport that, like many others, was dominated by conservative constructions. King, who would go on to win the event that very same yr, achieved not just one extra title, however a symbolic victory that transcended sport.
A change that was sluggish to unfold
Though at this time it’s unthinkable that the 4 Grand Slams don’t award equal prizes to their champions and finalists, the fact is that the street to equality was lengthy and uneven.Wimbledon, essentially the most conventional event on the circuit, took a minimum of 34 years to observe the instance of the US Open. It was not till 2007 that the London grass court docket event matched the figures between women and men. Roland Garros and the Australian Open had been additionally not pioneers. Each applied equal prize cash in 2007, 39 years after the US event.
Throughout that interval, the US Open held agency to its coverage, cementing its fame as essentially the most progressive Grand Slam. In the present day, all members within the singles and doubles attracts obtain the identical remuneration no matter gender, a proper that’s thought of fundamental, however one which needed to be fought for.
