Too sore for singles, but back to claim doubles cheque
Row over Wimbledon prize money escalates after players pull out injured but are back on court next day
WIMBLEDON’S prize money row intensified last night after two of the eight players who withdrew injured from singles matches re-entered as participants in the doubles tournament.
By participating in doubles matches, the players will be eligible to claim £5,375 in prize money in addition to their £35,000 men’s singles first round winnings, even if they lose.
The row began on Tuesday after Roger Federer questioned rules which meant that players who started matches but then withdrew were still entitled to collect £35,000.
Two successive matches on Centre Court were cut short when the opponents of Federer and Novak Djokovic withdrew. It led to accusations that some of the players knew they would not be able to complete their games but had started in order to pick up their cheques. Players who pull out before the tournament are not entitled to the prize money. But yesterday Feliciano Lopez, who was one of the eight who withdrew from the singles, played in the doubles, losing his match but earning £10,750, which he will split with his partner.
Today, Viktor Troicki, who also pulled out of his singles match, is also due to compete in the doubles. Last night other players said they had a “responsibility” to ticket holders not to enter if injured.
Discussing the withdrawals yesterday, British player Johanna Konta suggested the rules on prize money may have to change as she said players had a responsibility to their fans. Fresh from her win on Centre Court Ms Konta said: “There needs to be a responsibility towards the ticket holders and what they are paying to see. I think it’s something that will be reassessed.”
She added: “You’ve got to keep in mind that the players work very hard to be in the position they are in, but there is also a responsibility to the fans.”
Fellow Briton Heather Watson, who went through to the third round of the women’s singles yesterday, said: “I can’t speak for anybody else, but if my leg was broken, I’d be crawling to the next ball. That’s just me, though.” She suggested a rule change would be welcome to avoid players competing simply for a “big pay cheque”. David Felgate, Tim Henman’s former coach, was heavily critical of players re-entering the tournament after they had withdrawn due to injury. He told The Telegraph that it “should not be allowed” unless players had suffered from a “24-hour food bug” or similar short-term ailment.
Janko Tipsarevic, who lasted 15 minutes on court in the first round before retiring, said: “If a guy is all his life playing challengers and suddenly has a chance to play Wimbledon main draw, where the first-round loss is £35,000, I don’t think anybody has the right to judge him, to say ‘you didn’t do the right thing, you’re unfair for going there and picking up a cheque’.”