Female players will receive equal prize money at all the combined 1000 level events next year, the WTA has announced.
Of the seven joint tournaments at the top tier of the ATP and WTA, only four paid the women at the same level as the men this season, but, from 2027, Rome, Canada and Cincinnati will match Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Beijing.
“Achieving equal prize money across all combined WTA 1000 tournaments is a major milestone for tennis,” WTA chair Valerie Camillo said.
“It demonstrates the WTA’s continued commitment to leading the sports industry in delivering our athletes competitive and financial equality and is a testament to the enduring nature of the founding vision of the WTA.”
Next season’s calendar shows a new tournament in Manila, capitalising on the huge popularity of young Filipino star Alexandra Eala, while the tour has reacted to player complaints by reducing the number of mandatory events.
The WTA formed the Architecture Council, a working group chaired by world number three Jessica Pegula, in February to address frustrations with the calendar.
In a one-year pilot, top-50 players will only be required to play four WTA 500 events, down from six.
