'Biggest joke ever': US Open engulfed in fresh sexism storm
US Open organisers have been accused of sexism after copping angry backlash over a competition for the year's final grand slam.
Fans were encouraged to register for an access pass for the 2019 event for their chance to win the sporting experience of a lifetime.
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It all sounded pretty incredible.
That is, until readers dug a little deeper and read the promotion in its entirety.
"Register for the 2019 US Open Fan Access Pass for a chance to win the Ultimate US Open Experience. The grand prize includes tickets to the 2019 Men’s semifinals, photo on court, restaurant passes, and a prize pack of US Open merchandise," organisers advertised.
However, it was the 'consolation' prize that sparked anger and forced US Open officials into a massive backflip.
"And if you don’t win the grand prize, don’t worry there’s more! You will also have the chance to win 2019 Women’s semifinals tickets and a photo on court."
Judy Murray - mother of three-time major winner Andy - was among those to express their dismay at the association of the women's semi-finals being inferior to the men’s equivalent.
This looks great @usopen. Until you come to paragraph two. 🤷♀️😡 pic.twitter.com/JY4xcrUfYi
— judy murray (@JudyMurray) August 14, 2019
Current player Kristen Flipkens labelled it the “biggest joke ever”, while legendary player Martina Navratilova said it was “disappointing”.
This the biggest joke ever... A Grand Slam posting this. Wauw....... #impressedinareallybadway #dissapointed #leastfavoritegrandslamfromnowon
— Kirsten Flipkens (@FlipperKF) August 14, 2019
Not a surprise here , but disappointment? That would be a yes....
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) August 14, 2019
😳
— Rennae Stubbs (@rennaestubbs) August 15, 2019
How can the US Open not see this an anything other than sexist?
— yanx62 (@yanx62) August 14, 2019
Surely the winner of this grand prize should choose between Women's or Men's final to make it a prize without any equality issues. Dear oh dear @usopen!
— MrsButtHull (@MrsButtHull) August 15, 2019
Big fail @usopen 🤦♀️ women’s sport is not second-class, the runner’s-up prize or in any way inferior. Really disappointed this is your attitude. Change it, it’s soooo out of date 💪
— hannah partington (@TallHannah) August 14, 2019
USTA sorry for wording of competition
The United States Tennis Association (USTA), which runs the US Open, released a statement apologising for the language it had used in its original description.
"While describing the prizes in the Ultimate US Open Experience, the language used inadvertently compared the men's and women's semi-finals unfavourably," the statement read.
"The US Open is proud of its long tradition of gender equity and we sincerely apologise for not adequately describing the differences in the prize packages."
In 1973, the US Open became the first of tennis' four grand slam tournament to offer equal prize money for men and women.
The three other majors have since followed suit, with Wimbledon the last to do so in 2007.