Paula Badosa’s comments on the gender wage gap in tennis angered many fans. Her dismissal of the pay disparity between male and female players, stating that it does not bother her, left many feeling incensed.

Recently during an interview with the Spanish daily newspaper, La Vanguardia, Badosa talked about the existing pay gap between the ATP and WTA players. She stated that players should be compensated based on what they generate, regardless of their gender.

“I have always been very clear that we are what we generate, regardless of gender. Are there differences? Maybe there are, but because men’s tennis generates more than women’s, just as in the world of fashion, for example, the opposite occurs between male and female models,” Badosa said (translated from Spanish).

The Spaniard stated that despite the difference in earnings, tennis remains one of the more equitable sports in terms of pay and revealed that it doesn’t bother her that the best tennis players generate more revenue than her.

“In my sport, in fact, it is much more equal than in others, and it doesn’t bother me that if the best tennis players generate more, they earn it in proportion,” she added.

However, Paula Badosa’s comments sparked controversy among tennis fans, who criticized her views on pay inequality. Many took to social media to express their disapproval of her stance.

One fan stated that it made sense that she is dating Stefanos Tsitsipas whom they called a “misogynist,” alluding to the fact the Greek had once shared a video with misogynistic undertones.

“Makes sense that she’s dating a misogynist,” a fan posted.

Several fans agreed that Paula Badosa is in a relationship with Stefanos Tsitsipas as they both share misogynistic views.

“That’s why she and her loser make sense. She’s a willing participant,” a fan wrote.

“Maybe [Stefanos] Tsitsipas and her are actually perfect for each other,” a fan posted.

Some fans suggested that Paula Badosa has “internalized misogyny” which is why she is able to date Tsitsipas.

“Oh honey… I guess now we know why she’s still with Tsitsipas. Nothing saddens me more than a woman with internalized misogyny,” a fan wrote.

“Don’t act shocked. Any woman who is dating an open and proven misogynist has to have internalized misogynistic views themselves,” a fan posted.

Many fans lamented the disregard for the efforts of female players like Billie Jean King, Venus, and Serena Williams, who have long advocated for better treatment of women in tennis by Paula Badosa.

In contrast, some fans praised players like Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, and Naomi Osaka for caring about tennis and making it look good to the public

“For the WTA to go from proud leaders of women progress in BJK, Venus and Serena to this current group is sad. Coco, Osaka, and Keys are some of the few voices that actually advocate for better treatment of female players,” a fan posted.

“I really feel like it’s just Iga and Coco the only ones who really care entirely for the sport and making it look good to the public,” a fan wrote.

Paula Badosa on her relationship with Stefanos Tsitsipas: “We are two people who share the same passion”

In the aforementioned interview, Paula Badosa opened up about her relationship with Stefanos Tsitsipas. She said that dealing with public criticism regarding her performance, which some attribute to her connection with the Greek, has not been easy to deal with.

Badosa stated that both she and Tsitsipas share the “same passion” for the sport and have “clear objectives” for their respective careers.

“Criticism is never easy to deal with, although sometimes we find it funny because people don’t realise that we are two people who share the same passion. I could understand this criticism of distraction more if it were with a person from another world, but being two athletes with a very clear objective, what I think is that people don’t even know what they are judging,” Paula Badosa said.

The Spaniard stated that she understands the scrutiny of her professional abilities, whether she wins or loses, but finds it disrespectful when people link her performance to her personal life.

“I can understand criticism of my professional side, of my tennis, of whether I lose or win, but linking that to something personal seems disrespectful to me,” she added.

Most recently, Paula Badosa competed at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, where