Primetime Padel: Voices
We are excited to bring you a new segment here at Primetime. We are calling this “Voices of Padel.” What is this new feature? Think “letter to the editor,” but solely focused on padel, from verified subscribers and padel addicts, like you!
Now, let’s get down to this week’s Voice: Andi Neugarten-Maio, founder of 6LoveSports. If you don’t know who Andi is, we’ll save a bio here, and just link you to our “Primetime Exclusive” we did with her earlier this year. If you haven’t yet, we highly recommend you check it out. It’s a blast.
Now, let’s get to Andi’s voice:
Why Prize Money for Women in Padel Must Be Equal
Andi Neugarten-Maio
The disparity in prize money between men and women in padel is not only outdated—it is fundamentally unjust. It ignores the reality of the sport today and undermines the future we are trying to build.
1. Women train just as hard—and invest just as much.
Female professionals dedicate the same number of hours on court, in the gym, in recovery, and in tactical training as their male counterparts.
They invest the same personal financial resources into coaching, travel, equipment, and physiotherapy.
They sacrifice the same amount of time, family moments, and opportunities to pursue excellence.
To reward equal effort with unequal compensation is indefensible.
2. Equal pay is not a “reward”—it’s a reflection of equal professionalism.
Prize money is not about who hits harder.
It’s about professionalism, discipline, commitment, and the standard of play.
Women’s matches are highly technical, intelligent, and strategically rich. Fans who understand the sport appreciate the incredible level of women’s padel—and the numbers show women’s matches often generate engagement and viewership comparable to men’s.
Equal pay recognizes the professionalism of the female athletes who elevate the sport.
3. The argument about draw size is flawed.
Yes, women’s draws are sometimes smaller—but this is a consequence of underinvestment, not a justification for it.
Smaller draws are the result of:
fewer sponsorship opportunities for women
lower prize money creating a barrier to entry
less financial support for female players starting their careers
less visibility and fewer events historically offered to women
Underfunding creates a smaller pipeline, which is then used as an excuse to continue underfunding. It’s a circular argument that locks women out of progress.
The real solution is to invest equally so the draw grows, not to penalize women for systemic inequity.
4. Equal prize money fuels growth.
If we want more women playing professionally, more girls entering the sport, more depth in draws, and more countries developing talent, then women must be financially able to pursue this path.
Equal prize money:
strengthens the talent pipeline
increases global participation
improves the level of play
creates more exciting competition
elevates the reputation of padel internationally
This drives viewership, sponsorship, and commercial value for everyone, including clubs, federations, brands, and event organizers.
5. Women are driving the global boom in padel.
In nearly every region where data is available, women represent the fastest-growing demographic in padel.
In many markets—including the U.S.—they already account for nearly 45% of all players.
Women are also the primary community builders: they bring their friends, partners, children, and colleagues into the sport.
This is exactly what fuels the rapid expansion we are seeing worldwide.
If women are powering the growth of padel, they deserve to benefit equally from its economic upside.
6. Equal pay sends a message to our daughters—and our sons.
When we pay women less for the same commitment, we are telling every young girl watching:
“Your work, your dream, and your talent are worth less.”
That is unacceptable.
We also send the wrong message to boys—that male achievement is inherently more valuable. Equal pay teaches all children that fairness, respect, and opportunity should be universal.
7. The biggest sports in the world have already corrected this.
Tennis, surfing, track & field, multiple world championships, countless marathons, and major global sports properties have already moved to equal prize money.
The argument for inequality has been dismantled everywhere else—and padel should be leading the charge, not falling behind.
8. This is not just about money—it’s about respect.
Equal prize money tells women:
Your contribution is valued.
Your presence matters.
Your career is legitimate.
You deserve the same stage, the same recognition, and the same reward.
Women don’t need “special treatment.”
They need the same treatment.
9. Growing the sport requires growing both sides of the sport.
Padel cannot claim to be modern, global, inclusive, or poised for Olympic entry if half its athletes are underpaid.
A sport grows when it lifts everyone—not when it elevates one group at the expense of another.
The Bottom Line
Women should receive equal prize money because it is right, because it is fair, because it strengthens the sport, and because the future of padel depends on it.
Women train the same.
Women invest the same.
Women build the same audiences.
Women grow the sport at the same—often faster—pace.
Any argument for paying women less is simply a justification for maintaining a status quo that does not serve the sport’s future.
Equal work. Equal investment. Equal commitment.
Therefore, equal pay.
I would like to end with a special mention-huge kudos to the USPA who has made huge strides and now offers equal prize money for men and women and is extremely supportive of women's padel overall.
Let's hope that everyone follows this example!
-Andi Neugarten-Maio