More than a hundred events for men at the M15 and M25 levels are included in the calendar, and for the first time, more than $2 million in prize money is on offer.
The Global Tennis Organization (ITF) has expanded the quantity of ladies’ competitions it will coordinate during the principal quarter of 2023 to 114, with a record $3.3 million on offer for players as a component of its push for orientation equality.
With a new W40 level of competition worth $40,000 in prize money, the number of women’s events scheduled from January 1 to March 30 is 15 more than in 2022. This brings the number of tournaments with entry fees above $15,000 and $25,000 to 150. The ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour, which hosts entry-level and mid-level competitions, will also offer a record $16.5 million in prize money in 2023, according to the tennis world governing body.
It said that the total prize money offered in the first quarter was $3.3 million, up 25% from the same period in 2022 and 50% from 2019. Mary Pierce, who is on the ITF Board of Directors and chairs its women’s player panel and has won two singles Grand Slam titles, stated that the organization was committed to gender equality and inclusion at all levels worldwide.
Pierce made the following statement: “We’ve put a lot of focus on this through our Advantage All commitment designed to develop tennis as an equal opportunities sport.”
“That has been the driving force behind a lot of investment, decisions, and action in the professional game, including the establishment of the W40 category of tournaments, which was announced today.
“We’ve also worked hard to put together a schedule of opportunities for men and women on the ITF World Tennis Tour that makes playing and touring easier to schedule and cheaper for our professional players, coaches, and families.”
More than a hundred events for men at the M15 and M25 levels are included in the calendar, and for the first time, more than $2 million in prize money is on offer.