Wimbledon Insists It Was Not Forced To Increase Prize Money

Written by: Staff on 24th April 2013

Wimbledon Insists It Was Not Forced To Increase Prize Money

epa03300797 Roger Federer of Switzerland returns to Andy Murray of Britain during the men's final match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 08 July 2012. EPA/JONATHAN BRADY |

Although All England Club chairman Philip Brook was insistent Wimbledon was not forced in any way towards the 40% overall increase in prize money for the 2013 Championships announced yesterday, the playing fraternities were celebrating the news as a great victory for the bargaining power of the ATP World Tour and WTA.

There can be little doubt several meetings over the course of the last year between Brook and Roger Federer, seven times a Wimbledon singles champion and leader of the ATP Players Council, contributed to pay-rise.

And the euphoria amongst the ATP and WTA ranks was unprecedented after the news was announced. ATP board member with responsibility to the players, Giorgio de Palmero said: “Wimbledon has joined the other three slams in making a big contribution to the game and to the immense talent of the players! We look forward to a new relationship with all four Majors! Good job ATP Players!!!”

And Mardy Fish mentioned another board member, Justin Gimelstob by name in his Tweeted celebration of the news.

Gimelstob has been the most active member of the ATP hierarchy in the moves to get the four Grand Slams to up their prize money and Fish tweeted: “Huge props to Wimbledon on their prize money increase! ‪@justingimelstob Thank you for your support of the players…”

Andy Murray has previously been non-committal in his support of the All England Club’s traditions but he was effusive in his praise. “If it wasn’t official before it is now, Wimbledon is officially the biggest and tennis tournament bar none,” said the Scot. “Always looking out for the best interests of our sport…. future plans for the club look incredible.” And Murray hash tagged himself a proud member of the All England Club as he added: “As has always been the case Wimbledon continue to lead our sport in the right direction… right from the front.”

Sergiy Stakhovsky , an often outspoken member of the ATP Player Council, said: “I would like to give a big hug to the Wimbledon board; thank you gentlemen.”

But Wimbledon chief executive Richard Lewis said the All England Club will look more closely at which players merit a wild card with eight are awarded into each of the singles draws because of the money on offer.

This year a wild card will equate to a guaranteed payment of at least $35,862 (£23,500) which means for a straight sets defeat, a beaten tennis player could earn more in roughly one hour than a junior doctor at one of London’s leading hospitals makes in a year.

Brook explained the high pay for early round losers when he said: “These are not players who are superstars but players who are finding their way and not making a lot of money. We wanted to build on what we did last year and our increases reflect that.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: All England Club, Andy Murray, British tennis news, Justin Gimelstob, Mardy Fish, Philip Brook, Roger Federer, Sergiy Stakhovsky, Wimbledon