Sinner, this is a totally unexpected announcement: fans were left speechless and Swiatek gloating.
She conceded only three sets to her opponent, an Italian, moreover. Anything can be said, then, except that she did not deserve to win her fifth career Slam. On the red clay of Paris, Iga Swiatek was absolutely unplayable and nothing Jasmine Paolini could do against the fury of the Women Tennis Association’s brightest star.
The Pole closed the score in four and four-eight and a few hours later she was already there, gussied up, posing with her brand new trophy. No surprises, then, no outsiders who were able to counter her and storm the red fortress of the city of love. The Warsaw native left no one a chance and deserved, therefore, to be awarded the title of Queen of Paris. And also to have broken a “record” that apparently caught many by surprise.
When it came time to do the math on the top tennis players of 2024, a piece of news of the good kind, destined to cause discussion, popped up. Swiatek is the tennis player, among the big players on the two circuits, who has won the most money ever since January 1. Iga outclassed everyone, even Jannik Sinner, who in the ranking of tennis players who earned the most in 2024, in terms of prize money, had to “settle” for second place.
Worse than Swiatek but better than Alcaraz: Sinner is second
The Pole has so far grossed $6.68 million, while the Italian has taken home $5.16 million. Bronze medal for Alexander Zverev, who is stuck at $4.63.
Moving on we find Carlos Alcaraz (4.52), Aryna Sabalenka (3.71), Casper Ruud (3.16), Daniil Medvedev (2.86) and Jasmine Paolini (2.80). And so far there would be nothing strange, except that the news ushered in a debate that escalated sitting there. It is rare, objectively speaking, for a woman to earn more than a man in tennis, reasoning that the fact in itself is undoubtedly positive.
It’s just too bad that many users, on social media, were quick to point out that Swiatek does not deserve the top spot because female tennis players live and cash in only by “reflex.” So many have pointed out that they should not win more than men because they play for less time, forgetting, perhaps, that everything is well-proportioned, but so be it: the accusation is now made and the debate, we are sure, will hold sway for a long time from here on out.
