Foot-in-mouth fault: Djokovic wades into tennis sexism pay row

Tennis world number one Novac Djokovic has waded into the debate about equality in the game saying men should be paid more prize money than women. Djokovic suggested the men’s tour should receive more money because it draws more fans. He was speaking after the Indian Wells tournament chief, Raymond Moore, sparked outrage on Sunday when he said top-level women’s players rode “on the coat-tails of the men” and that they should “thank God” for people like Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer for attracting so much publicity to the game. Moore has since apologised.

On the other hand, I think that our men’s tennis world … should fight for more because the stats are showing that we have much more spectators on the men’s tennis matches.

Novak Djokovic

Djokovic, fresh from claiming a fifth Indian Wells title yesterday, acknowledged Moore’s comments were “not politically correct” and that women players had “fought for what they deserve, and they got it”. However, he also suggested the men’s tour should receive more money because it draws more fans. "I think that’s one of the reasons why maybe we should get awarded more,“ he said. Serena Williams, who suffered a shock straight sets defeat in the women’s final, slammed 69-year-old Moore’s remarks. The women’s world number one and 21-time Grand Slam champion said: "Obviously, I don’t think any woman should be down on their knees thanking anybody like that.”

If I was a lady player, I’d go down every night on my knees and thank God that Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal were born, because they have carried this sport.

Tournament boss Raymond Moore

Djokovic pay