Tennis...why do men play 5 sets and women play 3?

[ssd]

Or has it changed?

There are arguments that it should be changed. It’s just historical, as women weren’t considered able to cope with 5 sets. Men do play best of 3 in some competitions.

Dont they get the same money now?

Yes they do.

Cos women are seen as the ‘weaker’ sex, typical man speak!!

@Mum2jenny

Cos women are seen as the ‘weaker’ sex, typical man speak!!

Why ? The women must be agreeing to this??

So women get the same money for playing less but its the mens fault,??

These days it's only in the four major tournaments that men play five sets. Every other tournament it's three, like the women's

It was changed a few years ago to prevent strain on bodies and injury.

Doesn't seem right though, not now.

Women 'get the same money' (if indeed they do, can anyone link to someone that evidences this?) for winning competitive tournaments.

It's not about who 'plays the most' tennis, otherwise players would receive more if eg a woman's match went on to 3 sets rather than being over in 2.

@Mum2jenny

Cos women are seen as the ‘weaker’ sex, typical man speak!!

Its nothing yo do wuth a question mark if women are physically able. The major tournaments can't schedule that many hours to be played in a two week period.

Women typically have less muscle mass than men.

Am on the edge of my seat …Emma is playing brilliantly and her opponent is fab as well…X

I don’t know loads about tennis but from what I can see the women’s games seem much longer. There seem far more aces and serve - volley points in the men’s game. I couldn’t imagine how they’d be able to do five sets of this sort of tennis that we’re seeing now in the US Open final - it would take forever!