Tennis: Novak Djokovic issues apology after prize money controversy

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March 23rd, 2016
Back Tennis: Novak Djokovic issues apology after prize money controversy

World number one Novak Djokovic has published a statement on Facebook and Twitter, apologising for any offence he might have caused with his remarks about male tennis players deserving more prize money than female players. The remarks were made by Djokovic after having won the Indian Wells final as he was asked to react to previous comments by the tournament director Raymond Moore. Djokovic said ATP players should make more prize money than WTA players.

He said: "I think that our men's tennis world should fight for more because the stats are showing that we have much more spectators at the men's tennis matches." And that is completely true, ATP matches have significantly more viewers than WTA matches. But he was criticised by several high-profile people, including women's number one Serena Williams: "I wouldn't say my son deserved more money than my daughter because he's a man. It would be shocking," she said. "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."

Djokovic's apology does not include a retraction of his opinion: "I was asked to comment on a controversy that wasn't of my making. Euphoria and adrenalin after the win on Sunday got the best of me and I've made some comments that are not the best articulation of my view. I would like to clarify them. As you all know, I care deeply about the future of the game and all of the players. Tennis helped me so much in my life. Being where I am today, I felt the need to speak about the fairer and better distribution of funds across the board - this was meant for both men and women. We all have to fight for what we deserve. This was never meant to be made into a fight between genders and differences in pay, but in the way all players are rewarded for their play and effort. Tennis is a sport that I love and that gave me the opportunity to help others who still have a long way to go to achieve their dreams. This was my view all along and I want to apologise to anyone who has taken this the wrong way."

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic will prepare to win another Masters 1000 tournament, as the Miami Open kicks off on Wednesday. Djokovic is 8/13 at SkyBet to win the tournament.

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