is women's tennis the most successful women's sport?

Yes...I'd agree.

I want my daughter to get into tennis because she already has a chance of making it by the numbers. It's so soft and there's real money.

If we’re talking about women’s income relative to what men in the same sport make, MMA has to be a part of the discussion. Ronda Rousey was killing it when she had her streak going and was def the biggest star in the sport before Conor McGregor took over.

Yes, Also you don't have Nike controlling all aspects of the sport . The variety of sponsors is impressive , and it has a world wide audience .

It's also a crazy sport.

https://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2016-04-11/22532.php

In terms of the amount of money mae, yeah. Even for just reaching the round of 16 at the Open, they were getting $250,000. Champions get about $2 million.

sub_3_is_the_goal wrote:

I'd say it is. What say you?

As a long-time fan and player of the game I would say that it has become a tedious and inferior version of the men's game, with brainless bashing as the predominant tactic. It is dominated by a few overrated and overpaid shrieking prima donnas, like Williams and Sharapova. Television viewers seem to agree, as ESPN has turned down coverage of the women's events. The only consistent tv coverage of the women's events is at the slams, when the men are competing.

Probably the WNBA, in terms of the number of athletes able to make a living from the league.

Is there a bigger investment in women's sports? Doubtful.

Ladies tennis and golf and track and field are great, but not truly competitive.

Yes, and the reasons why is it was pioneered long ago by the upper castes who rid it of any stigma of being unladylike. After that, it had an aura of bourgeois status which attracts women the same way golf attracts men. As a one on one sport it gives them the opportunity to hang out and gossip with a friend, like a backyard fence with racquets.

One could even argue that it's a ritual simulation of backyard gossip. The serve is "did you hear about what he said," the return is "yes and did you hear what she said back" and the volley is "and then what he did that night, oh my god" and opponent says "no, I didn't hear about that." 15-0.

It is not dominated as the men's game can be. Except Williams who is getting old (last slam in 2017), no female has managed to dominate tennis as a few men did : since 2000, Federer (20), Nadal (18) and Djokovic (16) won 54 slams over the 79 which have been played.

Ice skating....

feel the cottony softness wrote:

I want my daughter to get into tennis because she already has a chance of making it by the numbers. It's so soft and there's real money.

The prize money looks good, but you also have to factor in the expenses that go into tennis. It might be shallower than the men's side, but still a tough haul.

I read a blog piece by a pretty good male tennis player (top 100 for sure) and he listed all his expenses going into Wimbledon. Paying for a place to stay near Wimbledon. He has to pay for 2 weeks because he is not sure how long he will be in the tourney. Then his coach, physio, and other folks he pays. Taxes. Airfare---often having to pay for changes in airline tickets.

They fight so seldom and who gets selected seems pretty sketchy.

NASCAR. They compete against the men, straight up.

They make as much prize money as the men for less work (shorter matches).

Rupp fan wrote:

If we’re talking about women’s income relative to what men in the same sport make, MMA has to be a part of the discussion. Ronda Rousey was killing it when she had her streak going and was def the biggest star in the sport before Conor McGregor took over.

If you go by this standard, figure skating and gymnastics beat everything else. Yuna Kim in her prime earned far more money than any other skater. And is there any male gymnast close to Biles in earning ?

Bluntski wrote:

Probably the WNBA, in terms of the number of athletes able to make a living from the league.

Is there a bigger investment in women's sports? Doubtful.

Ladies tennis and golf and track and field are great, but not truly competitive.

If WNBA players are able to make living from the league, why are so many of them playing overseas during the "off-season"?

How are you defining successful? Money generated by the sport, income for players, popularity of the sport or participation and competitiveness of contests.

It the last is your criterion, then woman's running events would be the most successful.

And if it's salary, are you talking about is it the top salaries or average salary of professionals.

I wonder what the income is for the tennis players ranked 30 through 50?

Conundrum wrote:

How are you defining successful? Money generated by the sport, income for players, popularity of the sport or participation and competitiveness of contests.

It the last is your criterion, then woman's running events would be the most successful.

And if it's salary, are you talking about is it the top salaries or average salary of professionals.

I wonder what the income is for the tennis players ranked 30 through 50?