Shapovalov demands equal pay for tennis men and women

Canadian Denis Shapovalov says there should be no gender gap in professional tennis.

Shapovalov called for gender equality in his sport in an article published in The Players’ Tribune on Tuesday. He said he was motivated to advocate for equal pay for men and women after comparing his experience on the ATP tour to that of his girlfriend Mirjam Bjorklund, a player on the WTA tour.

“One example, at the Challenger level they don’t have hospitality tournaments. They don’t have free accommodation, which is completely normal for men,” said Shapovalov, ranked 30th on the men’s tour. video attached to the article.

“Why is it different? It just doesn’t make sense.”

More shocking to Shapovalov was the difference in prize money between the two tours.

The product of Richmond Hill, Ont., recalled a conversation with Bjorklund when he thought she was making $7,000 for her main draw at the WTA 250, the standard for an event of this size on the men’s tour.

He explained that he makes a fraction of that, closer to $1,000.

“I’m like ‘what are you talking about?’ How is that possible?” said Shapovalov. “He was playing [Daria Saville]and the stadium was packed and they were playing for $1000 or something to get to the second round. It’s such a small amount.

“It was a crazy intense match, the quality was incredible.

“I don’t understand how men win a match you get $25,000 whatever and women they win the same match and they get $1,000 and people are the same watching it.”

Shapovalov said he wanted to speak ahead of International Women’s Day on Wednesday.

He is seeded 25th at the Indian Wells Masters this week and is scheduled to play on Friday.

WATCH |Shapovaloveeliminates Fritz at Mexican Open:

Shapovalov bounced out of the Acapulco Open in the second round

Third-seeded Taylor Fritz of the United States defeated Richmond Hill, Ont., native Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the quarterfinals of the Acapulco Open.