Iga Swiatek is earning her money much quicker than her male counterparts

Second seed Iga Swiatek is through to the quarterfinals after less than five hours on the court, raking in her cash at a much quicker pace than her male counterparts. Is it fair?

Iga Swiatek is not helping the cause that professional women tennis players deserve the same prize money as men.

Women are already on the same big bucks as the men at the Australian Open but Swiatek keeps winning her matches so easily that awkward questions are being asked about whether it’s really fair that everyone gets equal prizemoney.

Compared to the men’s matches, Swiatek’s 6-0 6-1 fourth round win over German lucky loser Eva Lys on Monday was almost farcical.

Scheduled for prime time on the Rod Laver Arena, the one-sided contest was over in less than an hour, which is about how long most men take to complete a single set.

That’s not Swiatek’s fault. The Pole is just going about her business as ruthlessly and efficiently as she can, but she’s earning her money at a much quicker rate than the best men, including Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner.

Iga Swiatek is guaranteed $665,00 for reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Picture: WILLIAM WEST / AFP

By making it through to the quarterfinals, Swiatek is already guaranteed at least $665,000 from her trip to Melbourne Park this year.

In winning her first four matches, the world No. 2 has spent a total of just four and a half hours on court - which amounts to $148,000 an hour, or $2,462 a minute.

She has won each of her matches in straight sets, dropping just 11 games in all.

The total time she has spent on court is less than the three longest men’s matches this year, including Thanasi Kokkinakis’ five set loss to Jack Draper which took four hours and 35 minutes.

Sinner, the men’s world No.1 has spent 10 hours and 40 minutes getting to the quarterfinals to earn the same money. The defending champion Djokovic has been on court for 11 hours to get paid as much as Swiatek.

Jannik Sinner has spent almost 11 hours on court this AO. Picture: Martin KEEP / AFP

Novak Djokovic is in the same boat. Picture: DAVID GRAY / AFP

“That was my first night session so I’m happy I got the chance to play on Rod Laver with such an amazing atmosphere. I enjoyed it so that’s the most important thing,” Swiatek said.

“I’m still 23 years old, so there is a lot to improve always. I don’t feel like I’m in my peak yet but matches like that definitely give me confidence. I feel like I’m playing a good game.”

Already a five-time Grand Slam winner, Swiatek is also at the centre of a row about doping in tennis after she tested positive for the banned heart drug trimetazidine (TMZ) at an out of competition in August last year.

She received a one-month ban after tennis the International Tennis Integrity Agency that the positive test was caused by the contamination of a regulated non-prescription medication (melatonin), manufactured and sold in Poland that the player had been taking for jet lag and sleep issues.

The World Anti-Doping Agency announced in Monday they would not appeal the findings in her case.

Asked whether she was relieved, Swiatek said: “I’m just satisfied that I can get a closure, kind of, and I can just move on and finish this whole process. I just want to play tennis and focus on the tournament,” she said.

“I think anybody who read the documents and knows details about the case, they understand. In the locker room, has been also pretty nice. The girls are understanding.

“I just want to put this behind me because I have already been on tour for quite a few weeks, and it’s all been good. I don’t expect any changes. For sure, I’m happy that people understand.”

Iga Swiatek has spent just four and a half hours on court in winning her first four matches at the Australian Open

Yet to advance past the semis at Melbourne’s, Swiatek has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to focus all her energy on this year’s tournament.

Her next opponent is American Emma Navarro, who beat Daria Kasatkina 6-4 5-7 7-5.

“Usually I don’t feel comfortable with my game at the Australian Open, but this year it is a bit better. I’m just enjoying being on the court and off the court as well because I definitely have a good time here. Hopefully it’s going to last even longer,” Swiatek said.

“We don’t know what is going to happen in the future, maybe I will be better, but I’m glad that I’m able to play my game and for sure win. It makes an impact on how I feel on the court.”

Originally published as Iga Swiatek is earning her money much quicker than her male counterparts