Wimbledon hands women 'equal' pay

MphsBlues · 02-24-2007, 09:06 PM

They finally caved in. Wimbledon will now pay equal prize money to women for all rounds of action - women and men's. Former player and women's activist Billie Jean King hailed the decision as did players Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams and Amelie Mauresmo, among others.

Well, isn't that grand?!
Let's look at the facts before jumping on any bandwagons< either way:
women play best 2 out of 3 sets
men play best 3 out of 5 sets
women get bathroom and change of shirt breaks
men get none
On a good day a match between Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams would generate about about 60% of the ticket sales as a mens match with Grosjean -v- Keifer.
The minimum number of sets a woman tennis player needs to reach the semis at wimbledon - 21.
The minimum for men - 35.
You are FAR more likely to see the same women in the final eight of any tourney as you are the mens - there is no comparison when it comes to depth in the field.
By what standard do we consider this equal?

OK, that's my rant for the day

Thoughts?

**GAVol** · 02-24-2007, 09:13 PM

The women's game is far more compelling right now than the men's.

MphsBlues · 02-24-2007, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GAVol

The women's game is far more compelling right now than the men's.

Measured in what? Certainly not ticket sales.

**GAVol** · 02-24-2007, 09:31 PM

I have no clue which one is more profitable. I'm just commenting on which is more interesting right now. I'm sure men's tennis is very high in quality, but casual observers just don't seem to care all that much.

**West Columbia Gamecock** · 02-24-2007, 09:38 PM

The men's game is nothing but a service game; a 140 mph missile serve with little volleying. The women's game actually has some volleys and some competition.

With the men, it's Roger Federer and then everyone else. It's really a shame. I think he's awesome and would have challenged some of the all-time greats if given the opportunity. He really has no competition.

I laugh at Andy Roddick. He pretty much had a meltdown after one of his recent losses to Federer. He sounded like he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown when a reporter continually asked Roddick about his futility against Federer.