The Italian Open has officially announced the prize money details for the 2025 editions of its ATP and WTA tournaments. Despite previous commitments aimed at achieving equal pay, the men’s champion will again receive a higher prize than the women’s titleholder.

A History of Wage Disparity

This disparity has been a contentious issue for years. In 2022, for instance, Novak Djokovic earned €836,355 for his victory, while Iga Swiatek received €332,260 for hers. This gap prompted significant criticism of the event.

Recent Developments

In the lead-up to the 2023 tournament, both the Italian Tennis Federation and the WTA made assurances to work towards equal prize money by 2025. Italian Tennis Federation president Angelo Binaghi highlighted this initiative during a press conference, saying, “For the first time in history we have started the process that over three years will lead to equal prize money between the women’s and the men’s tournaments.”

Binaghi added that they were backed by substantial financial support, noting, “We’re talking about 8 million euros (nearly $9 million) for each event.”

Achievements and Remaining Gaps

While the WTA expressed excitement over the commitment from the Rome event, the anticipated equality has not yet been reached. In 2023, Daniil Medvedev collected €1,105,265, whereas Elena Rybakina earned €521,754. The gap reduced in 2024, but the ongoing disparity remains evident.

For the upcoming 2025 tournament, the prize amounts will be as follows:

Prize Money Breakdown

• ATP Prize Money:
  • Winner: €985,030
  • Finalist: €523,870
  • Semi-finalist: €291,040
  • Quarter-finalist: €165,670
  • Round of 16: €90,445
  • Round of 32: €52,925
  • Round of 64: €30,895
  • Round of 96: €20,820
• WTA Prize Money:
  • Winner: €877,390
  • Finalist: €456,735
  • Semi-finalist: €240,380
  • Quarter-finalist: €124,700
  • Round of 16: €66,110
  • Round of 32: €38,313
  • Round of 64: €21,215
  • Round of 96: €13,150

The Path Forward

Despite the progress made, the goal of equal prize money has yet to be fulfilled. Other tournaments, like the Madrid Open and Miami Open, have been successful in offering equal pay, setting a precedent for future events.

The Madrid Open saw both winners receive €985,030, while first-round losers took home €20,820. Conversely, the Indian Wells Open exhibited a different prize structure, with variations in payout, depending on the stage of elimination.