Justine Henin's stroll into the Wimbledon quarterfinals, losing
just 15 games in four rounds, may not be helping the argument that
women are earning their equal share of this year's prize money.
However the top-seeded Belgian does not believe extending the
women's game to best of five set matches would silence the
doubters.
"I'm not really sure we have the game because the level will
drop," Henin told Reuters after defeating 15th seed Patty Schnyder
in just under an hour.
"It's tough, when I see the guys playing five sets. I think it's
great but they are stronger than us."
Henin is in little doubt however that, given the popularity of
the women's game, Wimbledon organizers made the correct decision to
award both equal prize money across the board.
"I think it's a question of respect and it's finally fair. We do
a lot for the sport and the fans love women's tennis."
"I think when you see the guys serve a lot of aces, you want to
see more rallies and that's why the fans love to see the girls on
the court"
The world No 1, chasing the only title required to complete a
career grand slam collection, could face former champion Serena
Williams in an appetizing last eight clash.
She believes the game has changed significantly since she faced
Venus in her first Wimbledon final six years ago.
"It's much more powerful now than it was a few years ago.
Physically it's much harder and we have to work harder than we did
in the past.
Their hard work is being rewarded with last week's announcement
of an $84 million deal to bring the season-ending championship to
Doha and Istanbul from 2008 to 2013.
But the increased money is not what drives the six-times grand
slam champion.
"It's good for everyone but I'm not really concerned about
money, that's not really why I'm playing tennis.
"There is a lot of money because we work hard and make a lot of
sacrifices but the passion of the game is the only thing that
really counts for me."
(China Daily via Agencies July 4, 2007)