Wimbledon announces record 20% rise in prize money amid player discontent

LONDON, June 11 : Wimbledon organisers have announced a record prize pot of £64.2 million ($85.74 million) for this year's championships although it may not be enough to placate leading players who are demanding a bigger share of Grand Slam revenue.

The prize fund is 20 per cent more than last year with singles champions set to pocket £3.6 million, up from £3 million.

It is the biggest annual increase in the tournament's history but comes at a time of escalating demands by players who argue that the four Grand Slams distribute a smaller share of total revenues than other ATP and WTA events.

Some players restricted media appearances at the recent French Open and even threatened a future boycott.

Wimbledon chair Debbie Jevans said she had discussed prize money with Larry Scott, who is representing several leading players in their pay demands, at the French Open.

Players had called for a total Wimbledon prize pot of around £70 million which would bring the ratio closer to the 22 per cent that top ATP and WTA events redistribute to the players, compared to an estimated 15 per cent in the Grand Slams.

"We've had dialogue, and we've had e-mail exchanges, and we met with (Scott) in Paris," Jevans told reporters at Wimbledon's pre-tournament press conference on Thursday.

"And after the meeting in Paris, I think you've all read what was stated in the media, 71 million. I believe what we have done is right and appropriate so I would hope the players would welcome it. It's a significant amount of money."

Jevans stressed that Wimbledon distributes 90 per cent of its surplus back into British tennis. Last year the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club paid the Lawn Tennis Association £48.1 million.

"Using revenue to determine prize money