Dear professional women tennis players,
I’m writing this to thank you for the work you do each year to improve the game and being wonderful role models to many people. I am currently a student, and I have been playing tennis since I was young. I am an admirer of all the hard work you put into not just competing on the court but also garnering more respect for women’s sports. As I started playing, I began also watching tournaments broadcasted on television with my family. My parents have always encouraged me to be the best I can be and to chose great role models. I found them at a young age- the dedicated women in professional tennis. When I was younger, I wanted to model my game after what I saw on television. As I got older, I came to realize how much more there is to being a player than just the hours spent on the court during matches.
I’m writing this to thank you for the work you do each year to improve the game and being wonderful role models to many people. I am currently a student, and I have been playing tennis since I was young. I am an admirer of all the hard work you put into not just competing on the court but also garnering more respect for women’s sports. As I started playing, I began also watching tournaments broadcasted on television with my family. My parents have always encouraged me to be the best I can be and to chose great role models. I found them at a young age- the dedicated women in professional tennis. When I was younger, I wanted to model my game after what I saw on television. As I got older, I came to realize how much more there is to being a player than just the hours spent on the court during matches.
I’ve learned through stories and experiences people have shared that women must often work twice as hard to be at the same level as her male counterpart. Not surprising in a mostly male-dominated sports culture, many people tend to focus on male athletes and put them on a higher platform than female athletes. Now I’m not suggesting that male athletes cannot be role models. This is not about making male athletes less than they are. Anyone who plays a professional sport for a living has to be devoted and dedicated to their craft, but I believe not enough credit is given where it’s due for female athletes.
I’m not trying to undermine the role that male athletes play in our culture either, but why shouldn’t you be able to commend as equal reverence and respect in our culture?
The Glass Ceiling stretches across many different professions- including tennis. Earlier this year, Forbes released their annual “The World’s Highest-Paid Athletes” list. Only two female tennis players made the list- Maria Sharapova (#26) and Serena Williams (#47). They also happen to be the only female athletes on the list. That says so much by itself. Let’s compare Roger Federer (#5) and Serena Williams (#47). Both started their careers around the same time- late 90’s. They are both experienced and highly regarded by the tennis community. This year Federer earned $67 million and Williams earned less than half of that- $24.6 million. Out of that sum, Federer was paid $58 million for endorsements. All of Williams’s endorsements totaled less than a quarter of that- $13 million. But the catch is Williams won more in prize money than Federer, meaning that she has been more successful than Federer (wins wise). Why aren’t women being as equally endorsed for achieving equal or more success?
I’m not trying to undermine the role that male athletes play in our culture either, but why shouldn’t you be able to commend as equal reverence and respect in our culture?
The Glass Ceiling stretches across many different professions- including tennis. Earlier this year, Forbes released their annual “The World’s Highest-Paid Athletes” list. Only two female tennis players made the list- Maria Sharapova (#26) and Serena Williams (#47). They also happen to be the only female athletes on the list. That says so much by itself. Let’s compare Roger Federer (#5) and Serena Williams (#47). Both started their careers around the same time- late 90’s. They are both experienced and highly regarded by the tennis community. This year Federer earned $67 million and Williams earned less than half of that- $24.6 million. Out of that sum, Federer was paid $58 million for endorsements. All of Williams’s endorsements totaled less than a quarter of that- $13 million. But the catch is Williams won more in prize money than Federer, meaning that she has been more successful than Federer (wins wise). Why aren’t women being as equally endorsed for achieving equal or more success?
Women's tennis has garnered many lucrative endorsement deals in the past years, but the numbers are still way behind compare to men's tennis .
I consider you to be great examples of work ethic and character. Those things are highly valuable and should be modeled after. One of the things I admire is your ability to maintain poise and confidence under stressful situations during certain times of matches. Having thousands of people watching closely and scrutinizing your every move can be straining, but you never show it, and also, being composed during post-match interviews.
To compete professionally is demanding in any sport is demanding. But you have to give a little more. Endurance- playing tough and competing match after another in different cities all season long. Travelling around the world is one of my dreams, but I can’t imagine how hard it is to travel to tournaments in different time zones across the world and be expected to be in top form at all time. The time spent away from your families- especially for mothers. There are very few that can play tennis and raise a family. Kim Clijsters chose to retire when she wanted to have a family and was removed from the game for many years. And that is a heavy thought- the expectation that when the time comes you have to choose between your livelihood or a family. That’s not particularly fair. It’s a sacrifice hardly mentioned, but I feel I should acknowledge that.
Thank you for showing us how you handle the mess that people tend to create just because you’re women. Thank you for showing us how little you value the opinion of the media and concentrating on your goals. The media tends to pit women against each other, and it’s tiring that is their focus. Why can’t they write more about the success and accomplishments? But instead they choose to ignore that. I know if I’m tired hearing about it, you must be exhausted. Other stories criticizing women athletes’ bodies as being too “built” or “masculine” is so offensive to every woman who has worked endlessly to be in her best shape to compete.
To compete professionally is demanding in any sport is demanding. But you have to give a little more. Endurance- playing tough and competing match after another in different cities all season long. Travelling around the world is one of my dreams, but I can’t imagine how hard it is to travel to tournaments in different time zones across the world and be expected to be in top form at all time. The time spent away from your families- especially for mothers. There are very few that can play tennis and raise a family. Kim Clijsters chose to retire when she wanted to have a family and was removed from the game for many years. And that is a heavy thought- the expectation that when the time comes you have to choose between your livelihood or a family. That’s not particularly fair. It’s a sacrifice hardly mentioned, but I feel I should acknowledge that.
Thank you for showing us how you handle the mess that people tend to create just because you’re women. Thank you for showing us how little you value the opinion of the media and concentrating on your goals. The media tends to pit women against each other, and it’s tiring that is their focus. Why can’t they write more about the success and accomplishments? But instead they choose to ignore that. I know if I’m tired hearing about it, you must be exhausted. Other stories criticizing women athletes’ bodies as being too “built” or “masculine” is so offensive to every woman who has worked endlessly to be in her best shape to compete.
THANK YOU, again for all that you do- competing everyday and setting a positive example for people to follow. The commitment and sacrifices you’ve made to get to where you are often gets overlooked. You should be proud of everything you’ve ever accomplished, not many people can say they’ve done the same thing. Although people will sometimes disregard women’s sports and its impact, you made an impression on me and many others too. I hope that you keep fighting and striving to reach your goals, because I believe that will change things. I hope one day ALL athletes will considered to be equals- no groups less than the other. The more victories you have, the more it will reach people. I follow the game as close as I can today and root for your success every time you are on the court.
Sincerely,
Monthida
Sincerely,
Monthida