Equality bounces onto Centre Court

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Wimbledon is proud of its history, but the All England Club yesterday dispensed with one of its oldest ­and most controversial ­ traditions when it decided to award equal prize money to men and women from this year's tournament.

When Maud Watson won the first Wimbledon women's singles title 123 years ago the 19-year-old vicar's daughter was presented with a silver flower basket worth 20 guineas. William Renshaw, the men's singles champion, received a gold prize worth 30 guineas.

Some reaction: -

Venus Williams: "The greatest tennis tournament in the world has reached an even greater height today. I applaud today's decision by Wimbledon, which recognises the value of women's tennis."

Maria Sharapova: "Wimbledon has always been a leader in so many ways in the world of tennis. This decision will only strengthen the bond between women players and one of the world's great sporting events."
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Amélie Mauresmo: "It's not a matter of how much time we spend on the court. It's a matter of principle. In many countries all over the world women get paid less for the same work as men. That's not really fair."
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Billie Jean King: "Wimbledon is one of the most respected events in all of sports and this demonstrates to the rest of the world that this is the right thing to do for the sport, the tournament and the world."
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IBM has 7 people permanently at Wimbledon all year round, and during the tournament and its run up, we reach 350 people to run the technology, the event, statistics, web site, court-side wireless network, real time mobile device systems and the various media feeds. It is used as a corporate showcase and hospitality opportunity, and is a co-branding exercise (it says here). I think that means we make no money from Wimbledon itself, but it is a joint platform for two Superbrands, and a lot of business is generated there with the clients we host.

“Our business strategy is based on continual innovation and we look to IBM to help us
maintain the progress that our partnership has already delivered.”
- Ian Ritchie, Chief Executive at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club