Wimbledon asks: should we fix ‘sexist’ court policy?
Leyland exposed the gender imbalance.
He said: ‘Tennis is one of the few sports where women get equal prize money and should, ideally, get equal prominence. For Wimbledon to neglect the women’s tournament is to go against that.’
Andy Murray and Serena Williams have backed calls for change. Virginia Wade joined them last night but cautioned: ‘The survey asks people who have previously bought tickets so they are probably happy with the way things are.’
The All-England club said scheduling decisions ‘are made with fairness in mind and in the tournament’s best interests’. WIMBLEDON chiefs are to address claims of sexism in the way matches are scheduled.
The All-England Tennis Club is asking fans if they want to see an equal number of men’s and women’s games played on the showpiece Centre Court and No.1 Court.
Analysis has shown the tournament has twice as many male matches as female ones on the most prestigious courts.
Fans who have previously bought tickets have been sent a survey which asks: ‘What priority should be given to showing an equal number of gentleman’s and ladies’ matches on Centre Court and No.1 Court?’ Options range from ‘should not consider’ to ‘top priority’.
Research by tennis fan Mark