All combined WTA 1000 tournaments will award women and men equal prize money from 2027, the Women's Tennis Association said on Thursday, with the Italian Open and other major events joining the rest of the category in offering the same pay-outs.
In 2027 - nearly six decades after Billie Jean King won the Italian Open at the Foro Italico - the Rome clay-court event will finally award women the same amount of total prize money as men as part a "major milestone" initiative. It means that all combined WTA 1000 events will award equal prize money for the first time.
"Achieving equal prize money across all combined WTA 1000 tournaments is a major milestone for tennis," WTA chair Valerie Camillo said. The move brings the Canadian Open, Cincinnati Open and Italian Open into line with other combined 1000-level events at Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and China, as well as the United Cup and the four Grand Slams.
The 2027 WTA calendar will feature 55 tournaments across 26 countries and territories, while the season-ending WTA Finals will be staged in its new home of Charlotte, North Carolina, in an NBA arena for at least three years from 2027. Also announced was an expanded WTA 250-level tournament in Manila, Philippines, amid massive interest surrounding home player Alex Eala.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing