Unfortunately there is the widespread feeling that the male world champion, in practically any sport, has greater prestige and glamour than the female. Many more people know who "The fastest man on Earth" is than know who the fastest woman is. Admittedly the man is faster, but still....I suppose culturally it is rooted in the past, when sports were something for men rather than women, as were military activities.
But something is definitely changing. When I started rowing, recreationally, around 1980, there was about 1 woman for every 10 men. Today, in the two clubs I frequent, there are definitely more women than men, starting with the teenagers all the way to the so-called "masters," which is a nice way of saying old. And in passing glances at tennis courts, it seems there are more women there, too.