Tennis:Wimbledon officials have agreed to a substantial increase to the prize money for the 2012 Championships following talks with Andy Murray and the world's leading players.
All England club chairman Philip Brook met with Murray, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer at Indian Wells in March to discuss the increasingly thorny issue.
As a result, the total fund for 2012 will increase by 10% to £16.1million (€19,745,000) with the mens’ and ladies’ champions receiving an extra £50,000 each (€61,321) taking their prize money to £1.15million (€1,367,465).
The biggest percentage increases goes to those players knocked out in qualifying (21%) and to the first round losers, whose prize money has been boosted by 26% from last year. Brook explained the leading names had argued for an increase for the lower ranked players to recognise “the rising costs associated with professional tennis.”
There have been reports that players were prepared to go on strike over the issue of prize money at Grand Slams but Brook said that was never mentioned in the discussions. “There hasn’t been any suggestion of industrial action or unrest. There was a request to go and meet with them in Indian Wells. We respected that request.
“In those top four players we have people of quality and integrity who want to do the right thing for the sport. What we heard from them was not a request for more prize money for them but they recognised this was an issue for the sport. They were there representing all the players on the tour.
“It is clear more needs to be done for lower end players for whom the rising costs of professional tennis have out-stripped prize money. We are hopeful these changes will be received very positively by the tours.”
Meanwhile, it was also announced today that play on courts two to 19 would begin half an hour earlier than usual this year, at 11.30am. Gates will still open at 10.30am.