Wimbledon boycott threat

Wimbledon starts today with the threat of a players’ boycott hanging over next year’s showpiece.

The game’s leading players have warned that rival tournaments could be organised to clash with Wimbledon and other grand slam events.

The split in the game has arisen in a bitter dispute over prize money.

The Association of Tennis Professionals have been in negotiations with organisers of the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open in a bid to get their players a larger slice of the profits.

This year’s Wimbledon opens up with ATP chief executive officer Mark Miles warning: “If we ever got to the point where the players became convinced that the grand slams are simply not willing to deal reasonably with the players’ concerns, we would be prepared to make other plans.

“Nobody wants alternative events but we need to be prepared to take action.

“We have agreed to pursue two tracks,” added Miles.

“The first is to keep talking and be patient; the second is to take alternative action.

“We have players who want to create alternative events to run against the grand slams. Our preference is for patient co-operation and discussion.”

Any boycott of Wimbledon next year could see Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski missing from the showpiece event.

American Todd Martin, president of the ATP’s player council, said: “No one wants to miss any events but we will take action.

“Wimbledon have told us what they will do with their money and that is what we disagree about. Hopefully, everything can be sorted out.”