New Pay Row Erupts Over Women's Tennis

The head of women's tennis has hit back after a top male star suggested his female counterparts should be paid less than men.

France's Gilles Simon, the 13th seed at Wimbledon, said the current pay equality at grand slam tournaments is unfair.

He told France Info: "The male players spent twice as long on court at Roland Garros (during the recent French Open) as the women.

"The equality in salaries isn't something that works in sport. Men's tennis remains more attractive than women's tennis at the moment."

But the chairman of the Women's Tennis Association Stacey Allaster said she could not believe anyone "in this day and age" would think both sexes should not get equal pay.

She said: "Tennis, including the grand slams, is aligned with our modern, progressive society when it comes to the principle of equality.

"I can't believe in this day and age that anyone can still think otherwise. This type of thinking is exactly why the WTA was founded and we will always fight for what's right."

Wimbledon began offering equal prize money in 2007 after a unanimous vote in favour of the proposal by the championship committee.

The disparity was previously justified by the fact that men play best-of-five-set matches in grand slams while women play best-of-three.

This year Wimbledon increased its prize money for winners to £1.15m for men's and women's singles champions.

First-round losers get £14,500, a 26% increase from last year's £11,500.

While women's players acknowledged Wimbledon is difficult for men - they said they still work hard.

Ana Ivanovic, who secured her place in the second round after beating Spain's Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, said: "It's always been talked about, but we are different physiques as well.

"I think we earn our money as well. I mean, I was two and a half hours out there today."

Heather Watson, who became the first British woman to get through to the third round of Wimbledon in 10 years, said: "I think it is tough for the guys, especially at Wimbledon because it's five sets.

But she added: "At all the other tournaments I think it should be the same. We play the same amount of sets and have to work just as hard."