Ben Navarro, the billionaire father of rising tennis star Emma Navarro, has made a groundbreaking announcement that could change the landscape of women’s tennis. Starting next year, the Credit One Charleston Open will offer equal prize money for men and women, a decision that Navarro calls a significant step for fairness in the sport.
“We are going to go, starting next year, with equal prize money. The first 500 to do it. So roughly, we’re going to be doubling prize money next year compared to this year… matching the men,” Ben Navarro told Tennis Channel.
He further emphasized the importance of this move, stating, “At the Credit One Charleston Open, we believe in fostering an environment where all athletes are recognized and rewarded for their talent and dedication. Providing equal prize money in 2026 is a significant step toward creating a more inclusive and equitable future for tennis. We are proud to take this action as part of our ongoing commitment to support fairness in sports and lead by example for the next generation.”
Navarro also highlighted the legacy of the Charleston Open, which has broken attendance records annually, drawing more than 90,000 fans and 26 million international television viewers.
Jessica Pegula, who won the Charleston Open after Emma Navarro’s quarterfinal exit, recently expressed her support for this historic change in prize distribution.
