NEWS: Game, Set — Match

CULTURE: Game, Set — Match

Wimbledon's finally going to pay women tennis players the same prize money the men get. Venus Williams, who works her ass off on the court, did it in the op-ed pages and in person as well, convincing officials that people actually care about women's tennis, too.

And only thirty-four years since Billie Jean King kicked Bobby Riggs' ass all over the Astrodome.

OK ?

Men have to win three of five sets in Grand Slam tournaments, while women only have to win two of three. (In most lesser tourneys, it's two of three for both genders.) That's the reasoning behind the old policy. While it makes sense, there's something that evens it out: women's matches sell more tickets and get higher TV ratings. Whether that's due to sex appeal (Maria Sharapova, yum! ) or their style of play is for the individual fan to decide. In any case, while the men generally have to do more to earn their prize money, the women actually bring the money into the purse, and that has to count for something.

Here, click this.

Long overdue. Tennis is one of the sports where women seem a fan draw at least on a level equal to the men, so they should earn equal pay.

What does this have to do with meth?

Does the woman get more money for winning if she's pregnant and drunk?

Seems only fair... In our chauvinistic patriarchal society, it seems only fair that if you're a woman, and take on the simultaneous activities of pregnancy, alcoholism, meth addiction, and world class professional tennis, you should be compensated more than some asshole man who's just going to objectify and exploit that woman as soon as she turns her back on him.

Christ almighty! I can barely play tennis, masturbate, and denigrate the social equality of all women simultaneously. You go girls!!! I'd give you a round of applause if I had both hands free.

I can't name a single male tennis player.

Wow, you're phoning it in already?

Doesn't the slapping sound of masturbating count as applause?

Did someone say phone?

http://www.lemonizer.com/banana/badgerphones.swf

Yup, the number of sets is not directly relevant. Sports people are professional entertainers, the "work" they do is measured by the amount people are willing to pay to watch them.

Martina Navratilova was my favorite

Two sentences! Brilliant.

Who knew the fanatical, illogical ramblings were just a cover up for a total lack of inventiveness and intelligence!

Oh wait, everyone.

I for one, can't wait to hear about even MORE exciting stuff like, her shopping list or... what her cat bootsie did yesterday.

Bobby Riggs was, without question, a sexist asshole. That said, he was a good bit older than Billie. Not to mention out of his prime, when she was in her prime. I would like to see how that match turned out had they been more evenly matched.

This would have made more sense if they also made women play best of 5.

And two pictures totally of her own copyright!

Yes, but even that question proves the point of the match. A: Thaat the outcome was determined by which player was in better condition and training; and B: That people would be interested in watching either gender.

How does that prove anything? Riggs was a washed up has been. King was the top women's player in the world. King's win was absolutely meaningless. If she wanted a real challenge, she would have taken on the top men's player at the time.

My only objection to the whole match is the idea the outcome was some huge victory for all of womankind.

They only played one match.. I'd hardly call that a clear cut victory... I think best two out of three is in order..

Someone get BJK on the phone and a shovel... We'll settle this once and for all.

Another reason why I am participating in the War Against Blogs%u2122

I had to look this up.

I still don't know why Venus Williams deserves any credit. All she did was whine in person and in print.

T-shirt image created by J Jacques of Questionable Content fame.