Ellen Perez highlighted the disparity in gifts given to male and female players at the Qatar Open after Wu Fang-Hsien’s humorous complaint about the lack of gifts. While male competitors received iPhones, female players were given water bottles. Perez emphasized that the focus should be on addressing the unequal treatment of male and female athletes, especially in tournaments of different tiers.
Ellen Perez recently brought attention to the significant disparity in prizes awarded to male and female competitors at the Qatar Open. This observation arose after women’s doubles runner-up Wu Fang-Hsien humorously expressed her disappointment at the lack of gifts provided to female players this year, especially in comparison to previous events where gifts were more abundant.
Wu Fang-Hsien, who competed alongside Jiang Xinyu in the WTA 1000 tournament in Doha, progressed impressively through the rounds, defeating notable pairs before ultimately finishing as the runner-up. In the final match, they encountered resistance from Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini, losing a competitive game with scores of 5-6, 6-7 (10).
Following the final, Fang-Hsien jested about the absence of player gifts during the trophy ceremony, citing that in past years they received gifts. “And last year they have player gifts, but I don’t know why they don’t have it,” she remarked, highlighting the inconsistent treatment of players.
Ellen Perez responded to the complaint by underlining the unequal distribution of gifts, noting that male players received iPhones while female players were given mere water bottles. She referenced the previous year when female players received bracelets, which were also absent this year, indicating a troubling trend.
In her social media commentary, Perez stated: “The men get iPhones every year and this year we get a water bottle… Last year we at least got a bracelet but I guess that even got too much to ask for @QatarTennis.” Her remarks underscore the ongoing issue of gender inequality in sports.
When asked about tournaments offering generous gifts, Perez clarified that her concern is not about the quality but rather about the equality of gifts between genders. “Tbh my problem isn’t the gift it’s the disparity especially given the level of events,” she explained, emphasizing the inconsistency as lower-tier male events deliver better gifts than higher-tier female competitions.
Despite finishing as runners-up, Wu Fang-Hsien and Jiang Xinyu had earlier had significant success this season, winning women’s doubles titles at both the ASB Classic and the Hobart International. The men’s tournament at the Qatar Open is set to feature prominent players such as Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, commencing on February 17, 2025.
The disparity in prizes for male and female players at the Qatar Open has ignited discussions around gender equality in sports, as highlighted by Ellen Perez and Wu Fang-Hsien’s remarks. The observation that male players receive superior gifts, such as iPhones, while female players get less, such as water bottles, reveals ongoing issues that need to be addressed. As preparations for the upcoming men’s tournament continue, it remains crucial to prioritize equitable treatment for all competitors in future events.
Original Source: www.sportskeeda.com
