On June 18, 2025, Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion ranked No. 36, ignited controversy by refusing to take a stand on the equal prize money debate between the WTA and ATP Tours during a press conference at the Queen’s Club Championships, per Sportskeeda. Asked about the significant disparity—where the WTA 500 event at Queen’s offers $1,415,000 compared to the ATP’s $2,890,000—Raducanu said, “I just prefer not to get involved… I’m never really going to take a stand either way,” adding that she doesn’t play for money, though sustaining her team is “extremely expensive,” per Tennis Infinity. Her comments, shared by @tennisweeklypod on X, drew sharp criticism from fans and commentators who felt she was shirking responsibility, with one X user, @groger2002, stating, “These are very ignorant comments… Female legends of tennis have fought hard for equal opportunities,” per.
Raducanu’s stance contrasts with her 2024 remarks to The Times, where she called the ATP-WTA prize gap “huge” and “not necessarily fair,” arguing women’s players are often “technically better,” relying on speed and agility, per The Telegraph. Critics on X, like @TennisAdvocate, highlighted this shift, accusing her of backtracking, per. Supporters, such as @Yoyasanhut, defended her, arguing young players shouldn’t be forced into complex debates, per. Coco Gauff’s vocal advocacy for pay parity, citing Billie Jean King’s legacy, amplified the contrast, per Express. Raducanu’s $5 million career earnings and lucrative endorsements, including past deals with Vodafone and Dior, fueled accusations of privilege, with fans noting lower-ranked players rely on prize money, per Sports Illustrated.
The backlash underscores the expectation for high-profile athletes to champion equality, especially as the LTA aims for prize money parity by 2029, per Motorcycle Sports. Raducanu’s focus remains on Wimbledon, starting June 30, but her neutrality continues to spark debate.
