The world number one is firm about equality in prize money: “We are working as hard as they are“.
It is not the first time she has spoken on the subject and surely it will not be the last. Aryna Sabalenka, world number one, speaks frankly about the prize money being distributed this week at the WTA Finals 2024. The Belarusian is clear about the amount, also commenting on what it means to her to lead in the WTA Rankings and her closely contested rivalry in recent seasons with Iga Swiatek.
Rivalry with Iga Swiatek and being number one
“I think it’s very positive that we have this rivalry, it’s very competitive. I really love it because it pushes me to improve every day, motivates me to grow mentally and physically. That’s how sports are. It would be super boring and uninteresting for people to watch and for us to play if it wasn’t so evenly matched,” confessed Aryna Sabalenka in an interview with Arab News just a few days after taking the number one spot from Iga Swiatek.
“I always wanted to dominate the circuit like Serena did in her day, like Iga has been able to do for so long. She’s still very close, everything will be decided after the WTA Finals, so, who knows? It’s very inspiring and of course I want to dominate like they did. I try to focus on myself, improve, and make sure I have the necessary tools to lead.”
About the tournament’s prize money
These 2024 WTA Finals bring a total of 15.25 million dollars in prizes to be distributed, the same amount as in the ATP Finals: “It’s crazy. I think we all deserve it, we work as hard as they do. We make many sacrifices, even more than men, and we deserve it.”
