The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) confirmed on Thursday that the 2027 Italian Open in Rome will finally match the men’s total purse, ending a decades‑long disparity. The change is part of a broader “major milestone” plan that will see all combined WTA 1000 events award equal prize money for the first time.
What the milestone covers
In addition to the Italian Open, the only remaining combined 1000 tournaments that had not yet equalized payouts were the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open. With the new policy, those events will also join the ranks of Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Beijing and the four Grand Slam championships, all of which already provide equal prize money.
WTA leadership’s perspective
WTA Chair Valerie Camillo said, “Achieving equal prize money across all combined WTA 1000 tournaments is a major milestone for tennis. It demonstrates the WTA’s continued commitment to leading the sports industry in delivering our athletes competitive and financial equality and is a testament to the enduring nature of the founding vision of the WTA.” Camillo added that the organization is also reducing the number of required WTA 500 events for top‑50 players from six to four, giving athletes more flexibility in scheduling.
Financial context
The move comes as the tour navigates financial challenges after deciding to end its three‑year hosting agreement with Saudi Arabia and relocating this year’s WTA Finals to Indian Wells, California. The flagship season‑ending event will be staged inside an NBA arena in Charlotte, North Carolina for the next three years.
In 2023, Italian Open organizers pledged to implement equal prize money beginning in 2025, but the promise was not fulfilled. This year the men’s total purse in Rome was $9.6 million, while the women’s share was $8.3 million, underscoring the need for parity.
Expansion in Asia
The announcement also included plans for an expanded WTA 250 tournament in Manila, Philippines, slated for November 2027. The event follows a successful WTA 125 tournament held in the Philippines earlier this year and reflects growing interest in home‑grown talent such as Alex Eala, currently ranked 18th in the world.
Player input
Third‑ranked Jessica Pegula, who chairs the tour’s architecture council, said the schedule changes will give players “more ability to build our seasons around our own goals — competitively and personally.” Pegula emphasized that the reduced commitment load is an “impactful step forward for players.”
Implementation and future review
The WTA described the 2027 changes as a one‑year pilot, allowing the organization to assess the impact on the tour and make informed decisions for 2028 and beyond.
Three events in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar will remain on the February calendar, even as the WTA Finals moved from Saudi Arabia to Indian Wells due to concerns about regional military conflicts.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
