Novak Djokovic found himself at the centre of controversy back in 2016…
After winning Indian Wells in 2016, Djokovic entered himself into the long-running debate over equal prize money in tennis.
The Serb claimed that prize money should be ‘fairly distributed’ based on ‘who attracts more attention, spectators, and who sells more tickets’.
His comments weren’t appreciated by the stars of the WTA Tour, who had spent years campaigning for equal prize money.
During the second event of the Sunshine Double, the Miami Open, Djokovic attempted to clarify his comments, revealing that he had apologised to several top women’s players.
Novak Djokovic apologised to Serena Williams for his comments and insisted he didn’t mean to offend her
At a Miami Open press conference, Djokovic said this about equal prize money.
“I make no difference in terms of gender. I believe in equal opportunities and we all contribute in our own ways,” he said.
“I was shocked at the effect this story had in the media.
“There is a lot of attention on what I say, and I want to repeat that there were no bad intentions.
“I never had a problem with equality. I was referring to the tournaments and how the wealth is distributed to all players: high-ranked, low-ranked, female, male, young, and old. We deserve more of the wealth distribution, for all genders.”
Djokovic said that he had been in discussion with several tennis legends after his comments at Indian Wells went viral.
Avoid saying the same tennis player as me quiz
“I have just been speaking with Billie Jean King about opportunities tennis players have and the influences we can have in different fields of life,” he said.
“Andy [Murray] sent me a message, we spoke very openly and frankly.
“I sent a message to Serena [Williams], Caroline Wozniacki, and others. I just wanted them to understand, and I never had any intention to offend or have a negative connotation of my statements.”
Djokovic’s apology seemed to be accepted, although the debate didn’t stop there.
Both players, Djokovic and Williams, finished 2016 ranked number two on their respective tours, but the prize money difference was alarming.
Prize money differences – ATP vs WTA (2016)
| Rank | ATP Name | ATP Prize money | WTA Name | WTA Prize money |
| 1 | Andy Murray | $16.3 million | Angelique Kerber | $10.1 million |
| 2 | Novak Djokovic | $14.1 million | Serena Williams | $7.7 million |
| 3 | Milos Raonic | $5.6 million | Agnieszka Radwanska | $4.2 million |
| 4 | Stan Wawrinka | $6.9 million | Simona Halep | $4.3 million |
| 5 | Kei Nishikori | $4.8 million | Dominika Cibulkova | $3.9 million |
| 6 | Marin Cilic | $3.5 million | Karoline Pliskova | $4 million |
| 7 | Gael Monfils | $3.4 million | Garbine Muguruza | $3.9 million |
| 8 | Dominic Thiem | $3.2 million | Madison Keys | $2.3 million |
| 9 | Rafael Nadal | $2.8 million | Svetlana Kuznetsova | $2.4 million |
| 10 | Tomas Berdych | $2.6 million | Johanna Konta | $2.4 million |
| Top 10 Total | – | $63.2 million | – | $45.2 million |
Both Murray and Djokovic enjoyed legendary seasons in 2016, which provides some context to the prize money disparity, but not all…
There was clearly a gap that needed to be closed nine years ago, but has any progress been made since?
Who earned more in 2025? ATP or WTA players?
Again, it was the men who earned more prize money in 2025, although it’s clear to see that the gap isn’t as wide as it was back in 2016.
Prize money differences – ATP vs WTA (2025)
| Rank | ATP Name | ATP Prize money | WTA Name | WTA Prize money |
| 1 | Carlos Alcaraz | $19.1 million | Aryna Sabalenka | $15 million |
| 2 | Jannik Sinner | $18.8 million | Iga Swiatek | $10.1 million |
| 3 | Alexander Zverev | $6.1 million | Coco Gauff | $8 million |
| 4 | Novak Djokovic | $5.1 million | Amanda Anisimova | $7.3 million |
| 5 | Felix Auger-Aliassime | $5.3 million | Elena Rybakina | $8.5 million |
| 6 | Taylor Fritz | $5.5 million | Jessica Pegula | $5.3 million |
| 7 | Alex de Minaur | $5.2 million | Madison Keys | $4.4 million |
| 8 | Lorenzo Musetti | $4.9 million | Jasmine Paolini | $5.3 million |
| 9 | Ben Shelton | $4.7 million | Mirra Andreeva | $4.7 million |
| 10 | Jack Draper | $3.4 million | Ekaterina Alexandrova | $2.7 million |
| Top 10 Total | – | $78.1 million | – | $71.3 million |
There’s still work to be done, but things look to be heading in the right direction.
Perhaps we will soon see men and women earn equal prize money on tour, a dream that once seemed unachievable…
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