Australian Open: Roger Federer says players will rally for more prize money

Federer: prize money issue ‘bores’ players

Australian Open defending champion Roger Federer says that the sport’s grand slam events should increase levels of prize money.

Federer, a former president of the ATP player council, told the BBC that players are “bored” of speaking about the “never-ending” issue.

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After current ATP player council president Novak Djokovic reportedly held a players-only meeting ahead of the Melbourne event, Federer said that there’s “no doubt” the slams could raise the prize money on offer.

“We’re not partners - we’re just players,” said Federer. “It’s always hard to rally. We had a good agreement, in my opinion, that made the grand slams happy, the players pretty happy. It seems like that has run its course.

“The moment that happens, there’s not the same increases any more, so players have to rally, get back together again, put in the effort. The grand slams know that. They will only react when we do so. We’re ready to do it. It’s going to be the same process over and over again.”

Federer added: “It’s a bit boring, to be honest, always having to ask for stuff. If you look at the revenue, the sharing process, it’s not quite where it’s supposed to be. But you can’t go from here to right there in a day. We know that. We just hope they realise and they do appreciate us maybe more all the time and not just in waves. We have good contacts with the slams. It’s all good. But it’s going to be a never-ending story.”

The Guardian reported that Djokovic has denied rumours that he has called for a boycott of next year’s Australian Open. He said reports of talks at the players’ meeting were “exaggerated”.

Edmund beats Basilashvili - and the conditions

Britain’s Kyle Edmund is through to the Australian Open fourth round after defeating Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili in five sets this morning.

The 23-year-old won 7-6 (7-0), 3-6, 4-6, 6-0, 7-5 in a match that was played in 39C at Melbourne Park.

“For the physical test it was a great, great win for me to come through like that in a grand slam,” said Edmund. “Best-of-five sets in that kind of heat, really good for my career and my confidence going forward.”

Organisers defend heat policy - but it will be reviewed

Edmund was just one of the players affected by the heat in Melbourne as temperatures rose to nearly 40C at the Australian Open.

Despite the extreme conditions, tournament organisers decided against having a break in play - a decision they have defended. The Guardian does report that the extreme heat policy will be reviewed.

Australian Open director Craig Tiley said: “We are, at the end of the day, an outdoor event. We want it to stay an outdoor event as long as possible but at the same time ensuring that the health and wellbeing of players is taken care of.

“The conditions of play are established prior to the event, and this includes the Extreme Heat Policy [EHP]. We start the event with this set of rules and policies in place and, in the interest of fairness, can’t change them halfway through.

“At the end of every Australian Open we always review our policies and procedures and consult with all stakeholders. The EHP is no exception.”

In today’s matches, French player Alize Cornet had her blood pressure taken during her loss to Elise Mertens while Croatia’s Petra Martic took painkillers to help with blisters caused by heat from the Rod Laver Arena's playing surface.

Martic told the BBC: “That was really ugly. I think we were lucky to play on Rod Laver because we had some shade behind so you could hide for a few seconds in between the points. Other than that you just need to be mentally tough and ready to just suffer out there and try to make it through.”

Marta Kostyuk, 15, knocked out in fourth round

Fifteen-year-old Marta Kostyuk’s dream run at the Australian Open was ended today after losing to Ukrainian compatriot Elina Svitolina in the fourth round.

Fourth seed Svitolina was too strong for Kostyuk, winning 6-2, 6-2 in less than an hour. “It was sad that I was playing a Ukrainian girl,” said Svitolina. “She’s a great fighter, she fought right until the end and has a great future.”