Is This the Last Great Sexism in Sport?

Okay... Before I start, I fully understand that there is an incredible amount of sexism in sport, predominantly around money and exposure, which I believe is increasingly improving every year. But what I am talking about here is more of a sexism towards ability rather than financial.

A week ago today, the Ladies' Wimbledon Final between Venus Williams and Garbine Muguruza took place. A match that saw the latter come out the comfortable victor 2-0 (7-5, 6-0). However, one burning question hovered over me as the game came to a rather disappointing end...

Why don't women play five-set-matches???

I'm certainly hoping it's not based on athletic ability, otherwise my question above will have already been answered. Women in tennis by far have the ability to last over five sets, as we see them still being able to play hard coming to the end of a third set.

Two months until due date and still practicing

No one can tell me that the world's greatest, Serena Williams, isn't able to last 3 hours on a court?? The woman is still hitting a ball despite being seven months pregnant!

And even if their stamina may be called into question, it's purely because they have not been training for an event that long. If you were to say next year's Australian Open would become five-sets for women, I'm sure plenty would be prepared in time for that. 

They actually have the physical capability to out last men in long matches (it's been scientifically proven!).  Women burn more fat and less carbohydrate during endurance exercise, meaning in long athletic contests, their muscle glycogen will outlast that of men, or so the science says.

Konta already fit and ready for long sets

The big frustration I have is the amount of great tennis matches we may have missed out on over the years because women over have to win two sets to see off the match. Muguruza's victory over Venus Williams last weekend could have so easily seen Williams come back into the match and not drop her head if she didn't think that her Spaniard counter-part was already half-way to victory.

Konta, beaten by Williams the Thursday before, being several years younger than the seven-time Grand Slam Champion, could have fought her way back into contention if another few sets have been available to her. Alas, we will never know.

Imagine if men continued to play three sets in Grand Slams like they do the rest of the year on the ATP tour. The greatest final of all time, Nadal's five set victory over Federer in '08 when Roger came back from two sets down, would NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. Instead, we would have just witnessed Nadal take an easy two set win and never heard of it again. We NEED these five setters to give us some of the excitement and drama that the men's game gives us. 

I honestly think this is the only reason that the men's championship draws me in a lot more than the women's game. Both just as skillful, but one definitely holds more drama.

There is for sure plenty of support from it, from players and WTA board members alike. The Williams sisters, as well as several other pros from past and present, have expressed an interest in seeing the women's game increased in length. 

Men's World Number One, and fighter of tennis sexism (see video), Andy Murray has also said that women "should play five sets", stating that it's not like they "cannot last" that duration. 

An argument could be made as well that with women being paid equally to men at Grand Slams now (finally!) that they should be playing the same amount of sets, otherwise they are being paid equal for less work. It's a loose argument, but an argument none-the-less.

Tennis is probably the most progressive sport for women in sport over the years. Many women out shining the men with their achievements and skill, so why can't we get over the final hurdle and make the sport completely equal.  

Stacey Allaster, Head of WTA 2006-2009

However, it's completely down to the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to come to a decision on this. The former head of the WTA, Stacey Allaster has said that her "women are ready, willing and able". So why hasn't it happend??

Martina Navratilova has said that they have been fighting for it for years, but the response they receive is "no, we want it to stay the way it is". If that is true, nice to see women getting a say in their own matches...

So, let's get this changed! Women are more than capable, and more than willing, to take on the challenge men do four times a year! ITF... MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Comment below your thoughts on this topic.

A. Weavers

You can also read my other blogs at ScriptEye and I Can't Write Words.