The LTA urged to make big change after ‘absolute nonsense’ ruling at Queen’s, ‘do it now’

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With the Queen’s Club Championships having come to a close, it’s fair to say that the event has been a raging success.

After all, it marked a landmark tournament, the first where women were welcomed back since 1973.

And, the WTA was treated to a shock winner, as 37-year-old Tatjana Maria beat numerous top-level opponents to claim the crown.

Then, rather conversely, top seed Carlos Alcaraz cruised to his second title, giving fans who tuned in for the whole two weeks both upsets and a shock winner alongside the heavy favourite proving why he was just that.

And yet, one thing about Queen’s has left a sour taste in the mouth of Catherine Whitaker.

Queen’s blasted for prize money differential

Speaking on The Tennis Podcast, she claimed: ‘Just before we move on from Queen’s, reflections on the two weeks as a whole, obviously the first time since 1973 that it’s been a two-week affair. 

‘I mean, the grass held up incredibly well. Incredible credit to Graham Kimpton, the head groundsman there and his whole team that just made an absolute nonsense of all the worry and alarm expressed by the ATP when the women’s event was announced about, you know, the shape that the grass would be in for the men after the women had had their way with it.

‘Because, you know, it was two incredibly hot, challenging weeks, and the grass was in pretty great shape yesterday for the men’s final.

‘I mean, there’s the prize money disparity that leaves me very uncomfortable still. It’s even more so given what a roaring success that women’s event was. The total Prize Fund for the WTA event was $1.4 million, and that has been voluntarily increased by the LTA by a third, but the ATP prize fund is still a million more than that. £2.1 million versus £1.04 million.

‘So double, essentially. And the LTA have pledged equality on that front by 2029, but… do it now!’

Elsewhere, in winning the event, Carlos Alcaraz made history by matching a Rafael Nadal achievement way ahead of schedule.

What will be the prize money at Wimbledon?

Although the LTA have made a blunder by not making the Queen’s prize pot equal, Wimbledon, fortunately, have not repeated that error.

In fact, the Grand Slam most steeped in tradition has offered equal pay for both the male and female singles winner since 2007, with that figure increasing year on year.

Wimbledon prize money in the last five years

In 2024, as Alcaraz defended his title whilst Barbora Krejčíková shocked the world, they both picked up a handsome fee of £2.7m.

But, whoever is to claim the crown this year will instead gain £3m for their troubles, marking an 11.1% increase from the previous iteration.