Novak Djokovic's stance on equal pay in tennis after angering Andy Murray with controversial comments

Novak Djokovic's previous comments about equal pay in professional tennis have resurfaced after Emma Raducanu revealed her stance ahead of this year's Wimbledon.

The topic of equal prize money and the significant gap between earnings of male and female players in professional tennis has been raised on numerous occasions over the years.

Last month, ahead of the WTA 500 Queen’s Club Championships, current British world No.1 Emma Raducanu explained why she will never "take a stand" on equal pay in tennis.

After being questioned about her silence on WTA players earning less than their male counterparts, she said: "There is obviously a big difference [in prize money], and I'm sure a lot of players will kind of say their piece on it, but I just prefer not to get involved.

"Whatever the situation is, I'll kind of roll with it, but I'm never really going to take a stand either way."

Raducanu added: "I don't really get involved or kind of stay in the loop with all the boards and all the decisions and stuff. I kind of just get on with it and I don't feel like I really am playing for money."

Raducanu was knocked out of Wimbledon after being beaten in straight sets by Aryna Sabalenka. Image credit: Getty

The 22-year-old's stance comes amid the ongoing debate about pay equality in tennis, with many prominent players actively campaigning for equal prize money across the sport.

Aryna Sabalenka reignited the debate after lifting the Cincinnati Masters trophy last year, as she challenged the ongoing disparity in prize money between male and female players.

The Belarusian took home half of what Jannik Sinner earned for his men's final victory, with Sabalenka earning $524,730 (£400,000) while Sinner pocketed $1,049,460 (£775,000).

"From the TV point of view, from the ticket selling, from every point of view, it's unfair," she said.

"Of course, guys are always going to be physically stronger than women but it doesn't mean we're not working as hard as they do. Women deserve to be paid an equal amount of money that men do."

Sabalenka is just one of many to voice their thoughts on gender pay equality in tennis.

Back in 2016, Novak Djokovic was criticised by Andy Murray and Serena Williams for saying men deserve more prize money than women.

Djokovic has been vocal about equal pay. Image credit: Getty

Speaking after his straight-sets win against Milos Raonic in Indian Wells, Djokovic said women deserved the money they got but men should "fight" for more because their game attracted more viewers.

"I think that’s one of the reasons why maybe we should get awarded more," he added. "Women should fight for what they think they deserve and we should fight for what we think we deserve."

Shortly after Djokovic's comments, a number of high-profile names in the tennis world opposed his views, including former world No.1 Andy Murray, who said: “I think there should be equal pay, 100 percent, at all combined events."

Serena Williams added: “I have been playing since the age of two and it would be shocking to say my son would deserve more than my daughter."

The Serbian soon apologised for his comments over pay in tennis, adding that he cared "deeply" about the game and that his remarks were "not the best articulation of my view".

Djokovic apologised for his comments over pay in tennis. Image credit: Getty

Taking to Facebook, he wrote: "As you may have seen, I was asked to comment on a controversy that wasn’t of my making. Euphoria and adrenalin after the win on Sunday got the best of me and I’ve made some comments that are not the best articulation of my view, and I would like to clarify them.

“As you all know, I care deeply about the future of the game and all of the players. Tennis helped me so much in my life and being where I am today, I felt the need to speak about the fairer and better distribution of funds across the board – this was meant for both men and women. We all have to fight for what we deserve.

“This was never meant to be made into a fight between genders and differences in pay, but in the way all players are rewarded for their play and effort."

He added: "Tennis is a sport that I love and that gave me the opportunity to help others who still have a long way to go to achieve their dreams. This was my view all along and I want to apologise to anyone who has taken this the wrong way.”