Equal prize money great: Mauresmo

Dubai: Defending Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo thinks it will not be long before the French Open follows with equal prize money for both men and women.

"This is a great victory for women all around the world. I had said it is only a matter of time and I think they have made the right decision," Mauresmo said after carving out a stiff three-set win against Daniela Hantuchova to enter the semifinals of the Dubai Duty Free Women's Open yesterday.

Wimbledon chiefs yesterday announced that they will pay men and women equal prize money for the first time this year.

This decision overturns more than a century of deliberate inequality in pay, while also bringing the Grand Slam closer to the US Open and Australian Open who both give equal prize money.

Two years back, Dubai Duty Free - owners and organisers of the Dubai Tennis Championships - announced equal prize money of $1.5 million each for both men and women.

Tim Phillips, Chairman of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, which runs Wimbledon said that "the time is right to bring this subject to a logical conclusion and eliminate the difference."

"For the past four or five years, women have been pushing hard for this change.

"They resisted, but ultimately they had to give in," Mauresmo stated.

The French Open is the only Grand Slam now which does not offer equal pay packets to both men and women.

"Just like Wimbledon really did not have a choice, I can see the French Open is going to struggle.

"This has been going on for years and it won't be long before the French Open too follows suit," Mauresmo predicted.

"I think it is a matter of principle.

"Why should women be paid less for doing the same job?" she queried.