Sharapova Does Not Agree With Increased Prize Money Distribution At Majors

Written by: Staff on 23rd October 2012

Sharapova Does Not Agree With Increased Prize Money Distribution At Majors

epa03423215 Maria Sharapova of Russia waves to the crowd after winning against Li Na of China during their semi-final match at the China Open in Beijing, China, 06 October 2012. EPA/HOW HWEE YOUNG |

Maria Sharapova is in disagreement with the overriding playing view that early round losers at the four Grand Slam events warrant a larger percentage of the overall revenue. A large percentage of the ATP World Tour playing strength were even prepared to boycott the upcoming Australian Open but the women’s French Open champion presents an opposing argument.

Women players have not really entered into the debate before now and have caused great consternation with some male players in letting the ATP World Tour drive the negotiations, which recently resulted in the Australian Open announcing a $4.15 million increase in prize money to a record $31.1 million.

Implicit in the negotiations were substantial prize increases for early round losers but Sharapova, speaking before the WTA Championships in Istanbul said: “I don’t know if I agree with a raise for a first-round loss.

“I think that compensation as you win more rounds is right, but I’m not sure about the first rounds.”

Sharapova is not critical of the Australian Open and applauds the rise in the prize fund. “If you compare the percentage of what we [the players] are making compared to the other grand-slams, certainly the Australian Open is doing a much better job of compensating us based on their revenue,” said the world no.2 who this year has amassed $5,418,296 in prize money alone.

“They are under a lot of pressure because they are the first slam of the year, but I think that other grand-slams need to step up, based on what they make, because their revenue is much bigger than Australia’s.”

Sharapova would not be drawn on the fact the ATP World Tour exerted pressure to bring the change. “There’s not much we can do about that,” she said. “There are only a few things that are in our control and we do what we’re capable of.

But she was critical of the fact representatives of the four major events chose the day before the WTA end of year main event to engage in discussions with top women players. “We’re meeting with them the day before we have to play,” she said in a questioning tone. “It’s the only day that they could come together and meet with us?”

“At the end of the day we’re all tennis players, we all have the same agenda and we all want to be compensated for what we do.”

Serena Williams, Wimbledon, Olympic and US Open champion, and a member of the WTA Player Council, held an opposing point of view. When asked whether she would be in favor of giving more of an increase to the first few rounds rather than the finalists, she said, “Sure, why not?

“Everyone deserves an increase, the first, the second, the third rounds. I know everyone’s complaining about the amount of prize money, but it was a good increase.

“We know the tournaments are making so much money off of us. We can’t start out asking for 30-40%. Hopefully we can gradually make more progress every year.”