3 Jul 2016

Wimbledon officials accused of discrimination

7:53 am on 3 July 2016

The five-time champion Venus Williams has accused Wimbledon officials of discriminating against its women champions and wants "equality" when it comes to scheduling matches on its two biggest showcourts.

After two days of rain created a backlog of matches, Williams was was sent to a back court - Court 18 - which once labelled "a parking lot" by former world No.1 Jelena Jankovic.

While in 2008 Jankovic had fumed she "needed a helicopter" to reach the smallest of Wimbledon's six showcourts, Williams kept smiling as she delivered her message to the most famous of tennis tournaments.

Venus Williams has accused Wimbledon officials of discriminating against women.

Venus Williams was unhappy with being stuck on the back courts at Wimbledon Photo: Photosport

"I'm not so much into disrespect. I'm willing to play anywhere, any time," the oldest player in the women's draw said after her second-round win over Greek qualifier Maria Sakkari.

"All players should have to play outside. There shouldn't be exceptions or any inequality to it.

"It's not the ideal schedule for the women. We'd like to see equal amount of matches (on the main showcourts). We don't want more, just the same amount, that's all."

Williams and her sister Serena own 11 Wimbledon singles titles between them but over the years the duo have found themselves playing away from the two main showcourts.

In contrast, the men's Big Four of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray will have to think back a number of years to remember the last time they were exiled from the two main arenas.

Martina Navratilova, winner of 18 grand slam singles titles, tweeted "it stinks" after she spotted the order of play.

"To make it crystal clear I just want equality for men's and women's matches. That's what I'm unhappy about," Venus said.

"The All England Club has to have a culture where they want to have equality. They need to want to pursue that."

Home favourite Andy Murray, the 2013 champion, admitted he was "a little bit" surprised to see Venus on Court 18 but defended the scheduling.

"It's not like that's a bad court ... 18 is a good court."

-Reuters