ATP Player Council Member Federer Comments on Equal Prize Money Discussion

Written by: Staff on 28th June 2012

ATP Player Council Member Federer Comments on Equal Prize Money Discussion |

Roger Federer has pulled together all of his Swiss diplomatic skills to sidestep the newest debate on the women’s equal prize money issue at the Grand Slams. But the Wimbledon third seed did say he is all in favor of a pay rise for early-round loser which has taken effect at the All England club.

“It’s important, if we do raise prize money, that we raise it across the board. The last ten years it’s been raised pretty much on the right side of the draw (winners) not to the left (losers),” said the Swiss.

“So this (most recent) spike was more to the left side of the draw, which I think is nice for those players who work hard throughout the years who don’t get so much recognition.

“Overall, they are professional tennis players, and they work extremely hard, as hard as we do at the top, too. I think it’s fair that everybody gets an increase.” First-round loser now earn the equivalent of $22,600.

On the women’s issue, Federer wisely did not pass an opinion after the rant from newest ATP Player council member Gilles Simon, who said it is not fair that women get the same prize money as men for the matches they produce.

“I don’t know what to tell you, but I hope it doesn’t become a big issue during Wimbledon ,” said Federer. “It’s obviously a debate that’s out there ever since I guess the slams have made equal prize money.

“There’s nothing you can do anyway about it. It’s just a matter of who believes what, and then that is an endless debate. So whatever you believe.