Novak Djokovic on equal prize money: 'I want to apologise to anyone who has taken this the wrong way'

Raymond Moore said female players should “get down on their knees” to thank Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

Novak Djokovic celebrates winning the BNP Paribas Open final (Getty Images)

Men’s world number one Novak Djokovic has attempted to clarify controversial comments whereby he appeared to suggest male players should be entitled to more prize money than women.

The 28-year-old was responding to remarks by Indian Wells tournament director Raymond Moore who said female players should “get down on their knees” to thank Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for boosting the sport’s global appeal.

Djokovic initially said larger sums should be paid to those who “attract more attention, spectators and who sells more tickets” but has since admitted that statement was “not the best articulation of my view”.

The 11-time Grand Slam champion, writing on his Facebook page, said: “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.

“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.”

Moore has since apologised and resigned in the wake of his comments after Serena Williams branded them as “offensive and very inaccurate”.

Williams, the women’s number one, also mused whether Djokovic would express the same views to his children. “If I had two kids, I would never tell my son or my daughter that one deserves more because of their sex,” the American said.