Ryan Harrison supports Novak Djokovic proposal after calls for more player cash
Ryan Harrison has backed Novak Djokovic‘s proposal to form a player’s union amid a row over prize money in tennis.
The 12-time Grand Slam champion reportedly took charge of an annual meeting that players are required to attend and gave a speech calling for the stars of the sport to join forces in order to earn greater rewards.
Though Djokovic is said to have had support from some players, such as world No. 4 Alexander Zverev, 19-time major winner Roger Federer is thought to be one of those opposed to the plans, according to the Daily Mail.
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America’s Ryan Harrison was quizzed on the meeting after beating Dudi Sela in the first round of the Australian Open, and suggested that a union would be a good idea.
‘I haven’t been involved in too many discussions, I’m not on the player board,’ he said after his 6-3 5-7 6-3 5-7 6-2 win over Sela.
‘What I can say is, as far as a union goes it would be good to have in the sense the people that represent us are also representing the tournament so it would be good to have someone with some form of representation that doesn’t have bias on the other side if that makes sense.
‘Not that we ever go against the tournaments but if we’re arguing for more prize money or for scheduling, to be able to have a voice for ourselves makes sense.’
One of Djokovic’s main arguments was that tennis players are less well compensated than other sports, such as golf, and Harrison agreed that distribution of prize funds is not fairly managed.
‘In tennis we make really good money but at the same time from a professional athlete standpoint it’s not the way it could be compared to other athletes,’ he added.
‘You see an NBA player or NFL player, you think seven figures in their bank account. I don’t think that’s always the case for guys that even make the main draws of Grand Slams.
‘That could be the case if the Grand Slams continue to make the moves that have started here in Australia. Craig Tiley has done an amazing job at being the most pro-player, he’s really set a standard and done a great job of that.
‘I don’t want to go too much into it, I don’t want things to get mixed around. My stance on it is we should have some sort of representation that maybe doesn’t have the other side.’
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