Throwback to the time when Rafael Nadal caused a stir talking about the gender pay gap in Tennis

The legendary Rafael Nadal had spoken about the much-talked-about gender pay gap issue in 2019 during a press conference. He was asked about women earning less than men in tennis and the reason behind it. The former world No. 1 did not sit on the fence and answered the question boldly.

The Spaniard said that females earn more than males in the fashion industry. However, that is not mentioned as much. Nadal received a lot of criticism from fans on social media and he was also booed out of the building after his comments were regarded as sexist and narcissistic.

In an interview with lo Donna, an Italian magazine, Rafael Nadal elaborated on his thoughts regarding the gender pay gap in the tennis community:

“It’s a comparison we shouldn’t even make. Female models earn more than male models and nobody says anything. Why? Because they have a larger following. In tennis too, who gathers a larger audience earns more.”

This is disappointing, coming from you @RafaelNadal! How many male players bring in zero fans and they’re still making more? https://t.co/hQ2YoOAymF

— Corbin (@Dr_CorbinCWong) June 9, 2018

No surprise here.
Most male players hold this primitive view.
Why I choose which players i support carefully (both male and female).

— Mariw.🖤💚💛Jamaica (@inezwil) June 9, 2018

Rafael Nadal’s opinion has found more takers over the last few years

The 2-time Wimbledon champion received a lot of hate comments after he shared his views on the gender pay gap. However, gradually, people have begun to find sense in what the star tennis player had said.

Few have also opined that Nadal spilled out the harsh truth instead of avoiding the controversial question that many would refrain from answering directly.

No male fashion model has ever made, in his career, what Giselle Bundchen made in 2013.There's no gender imbalance in tennis like there is in fashion (both entertainers), and the latter get paid from the same pool. Rafa Nadal points out inconvenient truths #MutuaMadridOpen

— DoctoreDiripioRubrum (@SportsDroppings) May 7, 2019

Rafael Nadal preaching the gospel in this gender pay gap bullshit. I mean Female models get paid a lot more than male models, you don’t see the mandem complaining.

— Fayeofori (@RawlingsFibbs) June 10, 2018

Still, there are people who want to see men and women receive equal pay cheques in all fields. However, only a few would be able to suggest the procedures required for that to happen. A lot of things are involved while determining whether males should get more money than females or not.

One of the primary factors is the viewership numbers garnered. If ESPN’s viewership numbers for this year’s Wimbledon are considered, the gentlemen’s final between Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios garnered an average viewership of 2.2 million. The ladies’ final between Elena Rybakina and Ons Jabeur was witnessed by an average of 1.2 million viewers.

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