In an article in Canada’s National Post, sports writer Joe O’Connor presents the following conundrum:
Women play 60 minutes in hockey, 90 in soccer and run 26.2 miles marathons, just like men do. And yet in tennis, in 2011, in an era where the gender wars are supposed to be over, on Sunday two women will meet in this year’s U.S. Open final and play best-of-three-sets — while the men will play best-of-five the following day.
Apparently women used to play best-of-five matches, but, according to 1973 champ Billie Jean King:
“But a woman — probably in a corset — fainted, and the all-male board decided we could only play best of three. We have offered to play five sets anytime.”
O’Connor tries to argue that limiting women to best-of-three would be on par with trying to limit Elton John’s Tiny Dancer to only three minutes — a cut that would mean we would have missed out on the chorus and, according to O’Connor, Elton John would be a nobody today.
While that metaphor is insane and in no way analogous to the sport of tennis, the fact remains that it seems curious that tennis is one of the only sports in the world in which women have their games essentially cut short.
One female player, however, Tracy Austin, offers a counter-argument, saying:
“It is not about how long Mariah Carey or Elton John sings,” Ms. Austin said from New York. “We don’t need five sets to be entertaining.”
That may be, but at the same time the implication is that women cannot handle the same game time as a man. No one is arguing that women can’t be just as impressive on the court, or that the games are not worth watching, but if you’re going to hold the U.S. Open in the year 2011, one does expect that the genders are treated equally and the beskirted ladyplayers are not treated like the weaker sex.
What’s your take? Are the current tennis regulations sexist, or are they immaterial? And should female tennis players still be wearing jewelery and skirts on the court?
I’ve always been bothered by the difference in sets, but what really has bothered me since the early years of the Hingis v Williams battles, is how quickly and viciously women are reprimanded and punished for showing displeasure toward the umpires/refs, etc. It seems to me there’s a huge double standard there.
The fact that women play only against other women is sexist – treating people differently based on sex alone.
The rest just stems from that.
agreed.
I love tennis and have played for years — usually against other women but sometimes guys. Frankly, I don’t see a big diff in the stamina of women vs men. Who gets to make this call? Seems strange that it has continued despite what the players want. Def makes their matches seem “second rate.”.
I have to say, I’m amazed at the range of your articles — always provocative and thoughtful. Keep it up!
Are they required to wear skirts or is it just preferable?
I think that depends on the dress code of the specific tournament because I’ve seen matches where the women have worn shorts.
You’re right. Wibledon, for example, even requires “mostly” white outfits.
It is rather silly that they only play for a shorter period, is the same sport so the same rules should apply.
I have to agree with you Jeneria that female tennis players are supposed to be ladies and in the hit of the game when they are exhausted and frustrated, are still expected to be “ladies” and ask politely with a smile on, where as males’ tempers make them legends! Bratty behavior excepted.
http://dougwintersmusic.com/blog/2013/01/31/rainbow-in-your-eyes/