{"id":295213,"date":"2023-11-02T16:38:52","date_gmt":"2023-11-02T16:38:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/?p=295213"},"modified":"2023-11-02T16:38:52","modified_gmt":"2023-11-02T16:38:52","slug":"female-tennis-stars-may-get-minimum-wage-as-wta-hint-at-copying-atp-rule-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/tennis\/female-tennis-stars-may-get-minimum-wage-as-wta-hint-at-copying-atp-rule-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Female tennis stars may get minimum wage as WTA hint at copying ATP rule change"},"content":{"rendered":"

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WTA stars could have their requests met as the women\u2019s tennis tour is set to explore a minimum wage and injury pay scheme after the ATP announced something similar earlier this year. Chief executive Steve Simon has confirmed that the WTA will be looking at the men\u2019s tour\u2019s new rule in a review as they could follow in their footsteps by introducing a new payment plan.<\/p>\n

The women\u2019s tennis tour has come under fire from its players in recent days, with stars unhappy with the conditions at this week\u2019s WTA Finals in Cancun. But it\u2019s not just the season-ending championships that have been an issue, as The Athletic recently reported that 21 top players sent the WTA a letter calling for higher pay, flexible scheduling, expanded childcare, and the chance to have a representative of the Professional Tennis Players Association on the WTA Player Council.<\/p>\n

Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Marketa Vondrousova and Ons Jabeur are among the top 10 pros who are understood to have signed the letter. And they have now reportedly received a response from Steve Simon, in a letter that was published by Sports Illustrated. In the reply, the WTA chief executive reveals that a minimum wage scheme is among the issues the tour will review.<\/p>\n

The letter addresses players\u2019 frustrations with the conditions in Cancun this week as well as feedback on the new 2024 Circuit Structure. Simon goes on to write: \u201cWe would also like to share with you the various areas that you have identified in your letter that are already in place, are currently being discussed and the topics in which a review is being scheduled.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Within the list is the prospect of a base pay for players ranked in the top 250 as well as a base pay for players who are injured and cannot play or go on maternity leave. \u201cThe topic of \u2018minimum income\u2019 and injury\/disability and maternity coverage is a topic scheduled for review,\u201d the letter states.<\/p>\n

The WTA chief also refers to the ATP\u2019s new Baseline scheme which guarantees a minimum wage for those inside the world\u2019s top 250 and an \u2018injury protection\u2019 payment. Simon added: \u201cThe ATP introduced Baseline which will be used as a basis from which the review will begin. We will provide you with further updates on this as the review and discussion progresses.\u201d<\/p>\n

The letter also mentions that prevalent problems like late-night match finishes, performance byes and the constantly changing tennis balls will also be discussed. It comes after the ATP announced their Baseline scheme back in August, with 2024 set to be the first year that the payment structure is implemented.<\/p>\n