Scott backs Tennis Association boss' call for equal pay

Women’s tour chief Larry Scott has hailed the call by Lawn Tennis Association chief executive Roger Draper for equal prize money at Wimbledon.

Scott, chairman and chief executive of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, has led the demands for the All England Club to fall into line with two of the other three Grand Slams.

And now he can count on the valued support of Draper, whose stance has left him in direct opposition to the All England Club for the second time in as many weeks.

Scott said: “We welcome LTA chief executive Roger Draper’s comments and support for equal prize money at Wimbledon today.

“It is clear there is very broad support in the UK and worldwide for equal prize money at Wimbledon, and it is great that the national governing body for tennis in the UK, and a major shareholder in Wimbledon, have stepped up to speak out and are committed to achieving this.

“As well as the LTA, the vast majority of the British public and leaders across the political spectrum support our call for equal prize money at Wimbledon.

“The message could not be more clear – it is time for the All England Club to do the right thing and stand for equality as leaders in the tennis and British sporting world.”

Draper insists he will use his position on the Wimbledon Championships committee to lobby for women players to achieve a parity which he insists is essential for tennis to be regarded as a “modern” sport.

Last week Draper effectively accused the All England Club of undermining his much-publicised “get-tough” policy by giving wild cards to British players who had lost in the LTA’s wild-card play-offs.

Now Draper risks kindling the Club’s ire again by coming out in support of the women players’ push for Wimbledon to come into financial line.

Draper said: “The personal view is that we should have equal pay for men and women at the Championships. Tennis needs to be a modern sport and one which reflects the wider world.

“My vote on the Championships committee will continue to be for equality of pay. The LTA jointly host these Championships and we will continue to lobby and work with the All England Club to ensure that in future years there is parity.”

Draper may face a difficult task as he is one of seven nominated LTA voices which sit on the Championships committee, along with 12 All England Club members.

The All England Club did not wish to comment on Draper’s statement but are standing by their financial policy – which they maintain is based on simple economic reality rather than sexism.