US Open champion Andy Murray Wednesday praised Australian Open organisers for boosting prize money, saying he never viewed a strike at the year’s first Grand Slam as a realistic option. The organizers of the season-opening major announced last week that the total purse would rise by Aus$4 million to a record Aus$30 million ($30.6 million). It followed reports that players were mulling a boycott of the 2013 Australian Open to try to gain a higher percentage of Grand Slam revenues for themselves. Speaking after being handed a walkover into the third round at the Shanghai Masters, the Scot said he hoped the threats had gone away for the time being.
“I think the Australian Open has stepped up really well. They’ve obviously listened to the players and the ATP and have made a real effort to improve things,” said the 25-year-old, the defending champion in Shanghai. “You know, from my side, I never viewed striking at the Australian Open as a real option.
“From all the players I’ve spoken to so far, everyone’s been very happy with the increases in the prize money and their plan over the next few years, as well. Hopefully that’s something we won’t need to worry about for a while.” Murray’s comments follow more cautious remarks by Roger Federer, with the world number one saying Sunday he was not sure the cash boost was significant enough to quell player unrest in the long-running row over prize money. Speaking after a players’ meeting on the eve of the Shanghai Masters, Federer welcomed communication between players and the Grand Slams but said “nothing is clear from this end”.
‘Time not ripe for royal honor’
Andy Murray said Wednesday that receiving an honor from Queen Elizabeth II would be a huge acknowledgement of his success — but he had not yet done enough to justify such an award. Murray, who won the US Open last month, ending Britain’s agonizing 76-year wait for a Grand Slam men’s singles crown, was asked by reporters what he felt about talk that he could be in line for such recognition. “It’s not something I think about when I’m training and stuff. That isn’t something that necessarily drives me,” said the Scot after he reached the third round of the Shanghai Masters with a walkover. “But it is obviously a massive acknowledgment of what someone’s done in their given field through their career.” The 25-year-old, who also won the Olympic title in London, said it was too early to be thinking in those terms. “I’ve had a very short career so far,” said the Shanghai Masters defending champion. “I still hopefully have a lot of years left on the Tour. So I’m sure something like that can wait.
