For the first time in over three decades, ticket prices for the men’s and women’s final at Wimbledon will be the same.
Last year, spectators paid £200 (AUD$379.24) to watch Ash Barty’s triumph over Czech’s Karolina Pliskova, while a seat at Novak Djokovic’s game against Italian Matteo Berrettini cost £240 (AUD$455.08).
All England Club, the private members club that hosts the grand-slam, have decided for this year they would charge spectators identical £240 for both showpiece matches.
The club officials’ expressed a desire to make sure the women’s event is viewed with the same importance as the men’s.
Semi-final matches will also now be the same price for both men’s and women’s games — costing £210 (AUD$398.17)
The latest decision is expected to receive some backlash due to the maximum three-set format played by women at Grand Slams compared to the scheduled five sets for men.
Last year, Barty’s winning match against Pliskova lasted one hour and 55 minutes, while Novak Djokovic’s win over Berrettini in the men’s final stretched for three hours and 23 minutes.
In 2019, Romanian Simona Halep defeated Serena Williams in just 56 minutes, while Djokovic’s win against Roger Federer lasted four hours and 57 minutes.
In 2007, Wimbledon offered men and women winners equal prize money for the first time.
This year’s women’s final will take place on Saturday, 9 July, 2022, the men’s on Sunday 10 July, 2022.