All seven combined ATP and WTA Masters 1000 tennis events will offer equal prize money to male and female players, tournament organizers announced. This development marks a significant step toward gender pay equality in professional tennis.

Starting next year, the Rome, Montreal/Toronto, and Cincinnati Opens will align their prize structures to ensure parity between the men's and women's draws. This initiative completes the move toward equal earnings at all Masters 1000 events, joining Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, and Beijing, which already implement equal prize money. The four Grand Slam tournaments—the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open—have long maintained identical prize money for singles competitors.

Representatives from the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) described the change as a landmark moment for the sport, reflecting ongoing efforts to close the gender pay gap in tennis. The decision follows years of campaigning by players and advocacy groups emphasizing the importance of fairness and recognition across genders.

In a related development, the WTA will introduce a new WTA 250 tournament in Manila, Philippines, scheduled for November 2027. The event is designed to spotlight Alexandra Eala, a 21-year-old player from the Philippines who has risen to world No. 18. Eala commands substantial local support, regularly attracting near-capacity attendance at her matches. The new tournament aims to capitalize on her popularity and inspire growth of the sport in the region.

These changes reflect a broader trend toward gender equity in tennis, encompassing prize money, tournament opportunities, and visibility for women’s tennis globally. Organizers and governing bodies continue to emphasize the importance of equal treatment to foster a more inclusive and competitive environment in the sport.