Serena Williams has joined the chorus of calls for equal prize money for men and women in Grand Slam tennis tournaments. Serena did what sister Venus could not do 24 hours earlier, reaching the second round of the women's singles at the French Open. And after her battle on court the younger Williams moved in for a battle off it. I think if we're pulling in the money, we deserve money, especially if you're bringing in people to network television.
Organisers insist the gap between the genders in the tournament is closing.
Women's prize money has seen a 6.57 per cent increase on last year compared to a 3.9 per cent rise for men. Tuesday's win was the first hurdle for Williams in her battle for fitness after an ankle injury that has kept her out of action since the Ericsson Open in mid-March. The first round after not having played for so long is a little tough, it should get better. But the former US Open champion was hopeful of a successful run after missing the tournament here last year because of a recurring knee injury, which she said had not bothered her too much during the game. Members of the Gypsy Jokers bikie gang are back in Perth today after a 1,200km run to Kalgoorlie and back.