On the Gender Prize Money Debate

We all have, at least, heard of Gilles Simon's controversial statements a few months ago, basically saying that because men's matches are best of three instead of best of five, they deserve less money.  This has been an ongoing debate for years, and Simon's statements just added fuel to the fire.  I decided it would be a good time for me to jump into the debate.

I, personally, don't agree with what Simon, and many others have said.  But, first let me look at it from the other perspective.  I can definitely see why it would upset a player, not famous, but certainly not a mediocre tennis player, to see lesser ranked women taking home just as much money as him if they pull an upset or two and he happens to lose in an early round of a major.  It just doesn't seem fair.

I can understand the frustration of when a seeded player loses in the First Round in a five set, physically taxing match, and a unranked nobody loses to another unranked nobody in less than an hour and takes home an equal share of prize money.  I get it.  The people want to get their money's worth with good players in every match.

Now listen to my point of view.

I feel we would be opening a huge can of worms do we decide to give women lesser amounts of money than men.  Sharapova was right when she was talking in the article above that why should she receive lesser amount of money than Simon, when more people want to see her play.

It is not just about the match time, but also about people in the match.  On average, a stadium with Maria Sharapova in it, will be a lot more full than one with Gilles Simon.  Shouldn't that warrant Sharapova more prize money than Simon.

Does this mean that prize money should be awarded (to everyone who loses in the same round) based on attendance, or average attendance, of their matches, with the better round you get to, the higher the "minimum" amount of prize money.

It wouldn't be so easy as to say, "men's prize money will always be above women's".  That's just not logical. If we are going to start giving out different amounts of money to be people who lose in the same round, then we need a better system of that.

This is why, I believe the tennis world should put this ridiculous argument to rest, and just let it be.  It just isn't this simple.