Andy Murray backs equal pay for men and women in tennis

Andy Murray believes '100 per cent' equal pay for men and women is the only fair future for tennis.
Andy Murray is a strong advocate of equal pay in tennis. Picture: GettyAndy Murray is a strong advocate of equal pay in tennis. Picture: Getty
Andy Murray is a strong advocate of equal pay in tennis. Picture: Getty

The British number one, and dual grand slam champion, sees no sense in the insistence - from Indian Wells tournament director Raymond Moore - that men deserve to earn more than women in prize money.

Murray, and record-breaking women’s champion Serena Williams, have both spoken out in the row which has engulfed their sport.

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Moore has resigned in the furore over his remarks, while ATP world number one Novak Djokovic believes prize money levels for men and women should be dictated by the revenue each creates in ticket sales.

Murray is unequivocal that there should be no imbalance.

The Scot told the Guardian: “I think there should be equal pay, 100 per cent, at all combined events.

“The whole thing was very strange and very disappointing.

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“I don’t understand at all where he [Moore] was coming from at all with those comments. It made no sense at all.”

Murray is confident equality of pay will be achieved.

“I think it will happen one day,” he said. “The crowds are coming to watch the women as well.

“The whole thing just doesn’t stack up - it changes on a day-to-day basis depending on the matches you get.”

Williams questioned Djokovic’s response, demanding he explain unequal prize money to aspiring players of both sexes.

“If I have a daughter who plays tennis and also have a son that plays tennis, I wouldn’t say that my son deserves more because he is a man,” said Williams.

“If they both started at three years old I would say they both deserve the same amount of money.

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“I have been playing since the age of two and it would be shocking to say my son would deserve more than my daughter.

“Novak is entitled to his opinion. But if he has a daughter - I think he has a son right now - he should talk to her and tell her how his son deserves more money, because he is a boy.”

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