Novak Djokovic has further backtracked on his suggestion on Sunday that men's prize money should be higher than that paid in women's tennis
Novak Djokovic
Miami: Novak Djokovic has further backtracked on his suggestion on Sunday that men's prize money should be higher than that paid in women's tennis.
Also read: Djokovic says men should earn more than women
ADVERTISEMENT
Novak Djokovic
The subject has dominated the news agenda ever since BNP Paribas Open tournament director Raymond Moore said ahead of Sunday's finals at the tournament that women's tennis "rides on the coattails" of the men's game.
Moore also said female players should "get down on (their) knees and thank God that Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal were born", and commented on the physical attractiveness of players such as Eugenie Bouchard and Garbine Muguruza.
He has since apologised and resigned, and Djokovic has been on a damage-limitation course of his own after saying, following his win over Milos Raonic in the final at Indian Wells that "the stats show we have much more spectators on the men's tennis matches. I think that's one of the reasons why maybe we should get awarded more".
Serena Williams, the beaten finalist in the women's event, led the opposition to his comments while British men's number one Andy Murray spoke out strongly in support of equal prize money.
Djokovic apologised on his Facebook page on Tuesday night and reiterated his contrition at a press conference at the Miami Open.
"I have just been speaking with Billie Jean King about opportunities tennis players have and the influences we can have in different fields of life," he said. "Andy sent me a message, we spoke very openly and frankly. I sent a message to Serena, Caroline Wozniacki and others, I just wanted them to understand and I never had any intention to offend or have a negative connotation of my statements.
Respect women
"I don't make any differences between the genders. I am for equality in the sport. I feel very sorry if, in any way, I hurt my female colleague tennis players. I have a very good relationship with all of them. I have a huge respect for all of them."
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
