Serena hits back at 'disappointing' Djokovic comments

Djokovic was speaking in response to controversial comments from Raymond Moore, with the tournament director saying female players ride on the success of their male counterparts, before Sunday's BNP Paribas Open finals at Indian Wells.

Published : Mar 23, 2016 14:47 IST

American 21-time grand-slam champion Serena Williams.
American 21-time grand-slam champion Serena Williams.
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American 21-time grand-slam champion Serena Williams.

World number one Serena Williams said she has been left disappointed by Novak Djokovic, who claimed men deserved greater prize money than women.

Djokovic was speaking in response to controversial comments from Raymond Moore, with the tournament director saying female players ride on the success of their male counterparts, before Sunday's BNP Paribas Open finals at Indian Wells.

The row, which saw Moore resign from his position on Monday, led to number one men's player Djokovic suggesting those on the ATP Tour should "fight for more because the stats are showing that we have much more spectators on the men's tennis matches."

Those comments did not sit well with 21-time grand-slam champion Williams, who ahead of her Miami Open campaign, told reporters: "It has been, I would say disappointing.

"I wouldn't say my son deserved more money than my daughter because he's a man. It would be shocking.

"Novak is entitled to his opinion but if he has a daughter — I think he has a son right now — he should talk to her and tell her how his son deserves more money because he is a boy.

"I would never use sex to compare. We have so many great players, men and women, who have brought so much vision to the sport. Every athlete works extremely hard.

"If I had a son and a daughter I would never tell them one deserves more because of their sex."

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