proxemo666 said:
The real question is...
If women want equal pay, do you think they should play to the same format as men (3 out of 5 sets)?
Im not answering this because I dont want to get flamed:mrgreen:
I do not mind getting flamed.
Women, without playing the equal number of sets, should not be justified in asking for equal pay, because it gives women an unfair advantage over men to make a whole lot more money. Let me explain.
Top male players usually opt not to play the doubles, because the best-of-5-set format drains them of energy and they do not want to risk their chances of advancing in the singles. This in turn forces some other male players to become doubles specialists, because they can't compete against the top players who devote themselves only to the singles and they have a better chance at winning the doubles title. Therefore, men usually have one source of income, with the exception of some doubles specialists who play both men's doubles and mixed doubles.
On the other hand, the top women usually have plenty of energy left to pursue both singles and doubles titles, and this is precisely because the best-of-3-set format allows them to do this. In fact, some women compete in singles, doubles, and mixed-doubles. Therefore, female players have at least twice the source of revenue than the male players.
I am all for equal pay across gender line, but some female players' staunch refusal to really level the playing field does not sound like "justice" to me. Either keep the best of 3 and tone down rhetoric on social injustice, or pursue equal pay and be willing to put in the extra work.