The American tennis legend stated that she wishes Federer had fought harder to close the prize money gap between the men’s and women’s professional tours, pointing directly to his family life as a baseline for fairness.
“I wish he would fight more for equality, because I always tell him: you have two boys and two girls! The winner of 39 Grand Slam titles across all categories added that the 20-time major champion has historically avoided rocking the boat, remarking, “Do you think he would ever do anything to rock the boat? He doesn’t want to. I’d want to make money, too.”
Past Alignment on Tour Unification
King’s recent remarks contrast with a moment of public alignment between the two tennis icons back in April 2020. During the global tour suspension caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Federer took to social media to propose a structural merger of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).
“I am picturing a merger between the WTA and ATP,” Federer wrote on X at the time. “I am not talking about merging competition on the court, but merging the two governing bodies that oversee the men’s and women’s professional tours.”
At the time, King immediately endorsed the proposal, noting that a unified governing body had been her vision since the early 1970s. “I agree, and have been saying so since the early 1970s. One voice, women and men together, has long been my vision for tennis,” King posted in April 2020. “The WTA on its own was always Plan B. I’m glad we are on the same page. Let’s make it happen.”
The Push and Pause for Institutional Merger
While mixed-gender team competitions such as the United Cup were established following those discussions, the ATP and WTA tours continued to operate as independent entities while sharing select events and sponsorships.
However, those formal talks collapsed in mid-July 2026.
King remains the sport’s most prominent figure in advocating for gender parity. As the founder and first president of the WTA, she famously pressured the US Open to offer equal prize money to male and female champions in 1973, the same year she defeated Bobby Riggs in the televised “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition match.
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