New Delhi: The Wimbledon tournament known for its tradition has decided to pay equal prize money to both men and women in all events and in all stages of competition. It's a move that women have been asking for a long time.
Roger Federer and Amelie Mauresmo won their Wimbledon trophies last year. While Federer took home £655,000 for winning the men's title, Mauresmo had to settle for £30,000 less as the women's champion. That won't happen any more. Both champions in 2007 will be richer by the same amount.
Tim Phillips, Chairman of the All England Club, says: "Obviously, it is good news for the women players. It recognises their major contribution to Wimbledon."
Wimbledon is the third Grand Slam after the Australian and US Open to pay equal prize money. The French Open introduced equal pay for singles champions in 2006, but through the early rounds, the men make more. The All England Club hopes that the men would support the move to bring the women at par.
Ian Richie, Chief Executive of the All England Club, adds: "The ATP will welcome this decision. They believe that it will be the right thing to do. And as I said earlier, the prize money issue in terms of the impact on the men, there will be no impact on the men players at all."
Some male players like Tommy Haas have started to make noises about the move being unfair because they play best of five sets while the women play three. But top women players like Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams have been demanding equal prize money for a long time and will see this as a victory.
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