Novak Djokovic: Men Should Get More Prize Money Than Women Since We Sell More Tickets Right Now
After his fifth Indian Wells title, Novak Djokovic dipped his toes on the Ray Moore controversy and then got involved in the great debate: Equal prize money.
Djokovic said he supports the WTA’s effort to earn equal money to the men, but then said the men should earn more since they are the more popular attraction.
“Women deserve respect and admiration for what they are doing,” Djokovic said. “I have been through that process as well, so I understand how much power and energy WTA and all the advocates for equal prize money have invested in order to reach that. I applaud them for that. I honestly do.
“They fought for what they deserve, and they got it,” he said. “On the other hand, I think that our men’s tennis world, ATP world, should fight for more because the stats are showing that 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. But, again, we can’t complain because we also have great prize money in men’s tennis is at the right moment in the right time.”
He then made it clear that if the WTA attracted more fans, they should get more than the men.
“Women should fight for what they think they deserve, and we should fight for what we think we deserve,” Djokovic added. “I think as long as it’s like that and there’s data and stats available and information, you know, upon who attracts more attention, spectators, who sells more tickets, and stuff like that, in relation to that it has to be fairly distributed.”
Djokovic gave his thoughts on Moore’s comments, “Not politically correct. I mean, it was maybe exaggerated a little bit, but that’s just my opinion.”
After his Rafael Nadal-tying 27th Masters event, Djokovic heads to Miami trying to repeat his Indian Wells-Miami double.
You Might Like:
Why Do The Miami Open Men’s Final Tickets Cost 52% More Than The Women’s Final?
The Nightmare Is Over: ATP Finally Approves The Indian Wells Prize Money Increase
Novak Djokovic Now Leads Roger Federer In Career Prize Money
ATP CEO Chris Kermode Denounces Ray Moore, Silently Applauds Novak Djokovic’s Prize Money Stance
US Open Prize Money Rises To $42.3M, Singles Champions Earn $3.3M