Ion Tiriac criticizes Roger FEDERER, Serena Williams and Equal Prize Money in Tennis

[Checkmate]

''Roger Federer is certainly the best player ever, but he does not behave correctly.” Said Tiriac.
“I do not think his approach is fair. He just picks out the tournaments he’s playing. This is hardly conceivable in other sports.”

Tiriac then went on to compare Federer with Lewis Hamilton. Saying that the F1 driver doesn’t pick and chose which races he participates in. The 2018 F1 season is made up of 21 races occurring over an eight-month period.

Serena Williams was also criticised by the Romanian. Despite winning 72 WTA titles, Tiriac has complained about women’s tennis lacking personalities. Saying that he would like to see somebody else other than Williams.

“With all due respect, but Serena Williams is 36 and 90 pounds I would like to see something else, I would like to see a player like Steffi Graf.” He said.

The Romanian has also hit out at equal prize money in the sport of Tennis

“That’s where we mix politics with business. I’m hosting the tournament in Madrid, with the same prize money for men and women. But the revenue from women is only 25 percent. That’s a fact.” He said. “The men ask me: Ion, how long do you want to pay the women with my money?”

https://www.ubitennis.net/2018/04/ion-tiriac-slams-federer-williams-equal-prize-money-tennis/

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Just a bit salty that Fed won't play Madrid

 

[Tennisgods]

Just...LOL at this mad old fella.

 

[True Fanerer]

Just read this before you posted. His opinion of Federer isn't important here, but what he says about the men and women with regards to income is the real story.

 

[Backspin1780]

Just read this before you posted. His opinion of Federer isn't important here, but what he says about the men and women with regards to income is the real story here.

And they are correct. Competivie tennis is not an office job. Literally no reason to pay men and women the same apart from good PR just as no reason to pay the loser same amount or the juniors or wheelchair tennis the same amount (and the hypocrites who bang on about equal pay for ewual work blah blah for women never mention equal pay for juniors and wheelchair tennis or equal pay for losers) when there is 10 people in the stands. Has nothing to do with men beig better at tennis than women either as women would deserve more money than men if they generated more revenue just as mayweather earns more than heavyweights who would literally murder him (in the literal sense mayweather would die) in a boxing match. And lol at anyone campaigning for social justice reason on behalf of multi millionaires with 10 million twitter followers (aka fame, a platform and a voice and clout)

 

[TennisLBC]

Tiriac if is under no legal obligation to pay women the same as men, he should grow a pair and pay the men more. He own the event, he eats glass; he should "man up" instead of putting in the players.

 

[Red Rick]

You know what triggers me?

ATP fines are higher than WTA fines.

THAT'S SEXIST

 

[merwy]

Find it hard to disagree with his last comment but it’s highly unprofessional to give his opinion on what players he does and doesn’t want to see at the top. Besides, Serena isn’t exactly at the top right now so what’s he complaining about? He’s not just a fan, he owns one of the m1000 tournaments and should be thankful if someone like Serena wants to play in his tournament.

 

[tusharlovesrafa]

Even as a Rafa fan! This is LOL worthy!

 

[Checkmate]

Just a bit salty that Fed won't play Madrid

 

[augustobt]

The comparison with Hamilton/F1 is incorrect. Every race delivers the same amount of points, something that isn't the case with tennis tournaments.

 

[ron schaap]

Maybe if female players grow moustaches like his, than he gets interested in them, Mr grumpy.

 

[sureshs]

Agree with him that Federer is a cheat for skipping clay seasons.

 

[cluckcluck]

You know what triggers me?

ATP fines are higher than WTA fines.

THAT'S SEXIST

Wait, what? Is this a real thing?

I know at the USO Wilson makes a lighter tennis ball for the women. I wonder if true at other larger tournaments???

 

[Jimbud]

I don’t understand the comment about Serena being 90 pounds. What does he mean?

 

[Deleted member 756486]

You know what triggers me?

ATP fines are higher than WTA fines.

THAT'S SEXIST

Wait, really?

Female privilege is real.

 

[cluckcluck]

Agree with him that Federer is a cheat for skipping clay seasons.

I thought he was busy training with you during the clay season?
Looks like the great Sureshs isn't on the inside of the Fed camp.

 

[cluckcluck]

I don’t understand the comment about Serena being 90 pounds. What does he mean?

Maybe 90 kilos? Which is just under 200lbs.

 

[sureshs]

I don’t understand the comment about Serena being 90 pounds. What does he mean?

Probably meant kilograms.

Time for Europe to being diversity into tennis upper circles. They need a Katrina Adams or James Blake, not the same old rotten males.

 

[Shaolin]

Just...LOL at this mad old fella.

He was slightly insane as a younger guy too…used to eat glass at parties. Maybe some of the shards have worked their way up into his brain

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Delete

 

[sureshs]

Women's balls are lighter and have less thick felt.

Men's balls are heavier.

But Nadal's balls are the heaviest.

 

[Red Rick]

Wait, what? Is this a real thing?

I know at the USO Wilson makes a lighter tennis ball for the women. I wonder if true at other larger tournaments???

Yeah, fines for skipping a press conference are way higher for the ATP than the WTA.

I think the lighter balls is normal for HC.

 

[cluckcluck]

Yeah, fines for skipping a press conference are way higher for the ATP than the WTA.

I think the lighter balls is normal for HC.

Is there some sort of "fee schedule" for WTA/ATP? I would love to see this.

 

[Red Rick]

Is there some sort of "fee schedule" for WTA/ATP? I would love to see this.

It's in the rulebook on the WTA and ATP sites I think. Somebody mentioned it and posted screenshots of it.

 

[a10best]

He is right when it comes to the slam category and best of 5 sets. Because of playing time on the court, the men's top players have knee or back problems, and now skip typically important tournaments.
It isn't Serena's fault she is that good. I get it that he is tired of seeing her win (me too). Usually it's a few players at the top for 10-15years and they fall due to injuries or a new crop of better & younger players. It's now happening with the top men and the Williams' sisters are starting to fade too. By 2020, I say no way will any of the current old guard still be top 10 singles.

 

[Mainad]

Just...LOL at this mad old fella.

Mad but extremely rich old fella.

 

[Mainad]

He prefers horseface Steffi Graf to Serena? I wonder why?

Reason is pretty obvious.

Madrid should get rid of him and get another sponsor. In fact, make Serena the TD and kick these European racists and misogynists out.

Tiriac isn't the sponsor of Madrid. He owns the tournament lock, stock and barrel so, until he decides otherwise, Madrid is stuck with him!

 

[FHtennisman]

Just a bit salty that Fed won't play Madrid

What's the connection between Ion Tiriac, Guy Forget and Fedr?

 

[sureshs]

What's the connection between Ion Tiriac, Guy Forget and Fedr?

None of them are playing tennis right now?

 

[MugOpponent]

It's always great to see a man speak his mind.

 

[Roddick85]

I'm sensing some frustration from Tiriac because Fed won't attend his tournament. Let's face it, Federer is the main attraction on the tour right now. The fact that he's still playing and being competitive at an age where many past greats had already retired for many years has more than earned him the right to pick the tournament he wants to play if he says so. People should understand that Federer still playing is just a nice bonus on top of everything he's given to the tour.

 

[Mainad]

What's the connection between Ion Tiriac, Guy Forget and Fedr?

Tiriac and Forget have both criticised Fedr for not playing their tournaments?

 

[FHtennisman]

None of them are playing tennis right now?

If I'm correct, none of the current top 10 ATP players are playing right now.

 

[FHtennisman]

Tiriac and Forget have both criticised Fedr for not playing their tournaments?

I also forgot to mention the Rome TD who also complained about Fedr IIRC last year.

 

[Mainad]

I also forgot to mention the Rome TD who also complained about Fedr IIRC last year.

I guess none of the big clay events are particularly happy about getting snubbed by one of the top 2 tennis players in the world year after year.

 

[FHtennisman]

I guess none of the big clay events are particularly happy about getting snubbed by one of the top 2 tennis players in the world year after year.

Exactly, I also doubt that any of the ATGs in their mid 30s had a similar playing schedule to their prime conditioning years.

 

[TennisCJC]

Tiriac is a *****. Federer has earned the right to play a reduced schedule. He has played over 1,400 matches and for over a decade has played practically every masters, slam and WTF tourney. He is also 36 years old and carrying tennis on his back at the moment. Where ever Federer plays, tickets sell and TV ratings go up. Tennis needs new stars to emerge to generate interest.

 

[TennisCJC]

I guess none of the big clay events are particularly happy about getting snubbed by one of the top 2 tennis players in the world year after year.

yea, Tiriac is upset as his Madrid ticket sells must be down. But, Federer didn't "snub" the clay season until he was 35 years old. The ATP has criteria to miss masters events and Federer meets the criteria.

 

[Shaolin]

Federer should actually be commended for his scheduling.

He has kept himself fresh and in contention for majors long after most players his age have have retired.

Look how long ago Roddick retired …seems like he's been off the tour 10 years now.

Yet Fed just won the AO while Andy plays Powershares against 60 year olds.

 

[Mainad]

Tiriac is a *****. Federer has earned the right to play a reduced schedule. He has played over 1,400 matches and for over a decade has played practically every masters, slam and WTF tourney. He is also 36 years old and carrying tennis on his back at the moment. Where ever Federer plays, tickets sell and TV ratings go up. Tennis needs new stars to emerge to generate interest.

I'm guessing it's not so much his right to play a reduced schedule that irks tournament organisers so much as his equating of reduced schedule with skipping all of the clay events. The latter understandably feel a bit discriminated against and hard done by!

 

[Deleted member 756486]

Federer should actually be commended for his scheduling.

He has kept himself fresh and in contention for majors long after most players his age have have retired.

Look how long ago Roddick retired …seems like he's been off the tour 10 years now.

Yet Fed just won the AO while Andy plays Powershares against 60 year olds.

Fed knows how Rod feels though.

@Red Rick

 

[TennisCJC]

I'm guessing it's not so much his right to play a reduced schedule that irks tournament organisers so much as his equating of reduced schedule with skipping all of the clay events. The latter understandably feel a bit discriminated against and hard done by!

Maybe Federer will play Paris in his last year. Might be next year. I don't have a problem with him skipping clay because he was a work horse and played almost all the clay for 15 years.

 

[nick_crompton]

Technically, women should only receive 50% of what the men earn. Equal pay hurts all parties. Maybe we MTGA and get rid of the WTA.

Also, Fed should be heavily fined for not participating in tournaments. I say $800k fine for every tournament he chooses not to play. We want him to play all the tournaments and win! This isn't fair for us Fed fans! Stop this madness, Fed!

 

[li0scc0]

Time for Europe to being diversity into tennis upper circles. They need a Katrina Adams or James Blake, not the same old rotten males.

You do realize that James Blake is a male, correct? Why don't you say what you really want to say...which is, "I hate white men".

 

[heftylefty]

Tiriac should just drop the WTA event and add a senior women's event and bring back Graf, Henin, Kim, the Martinas.

I mean he owns the Event, and he can't be jailed for doing what he wants to do to his tournament. For as much tish Ion like to talk, dude should, as TennisLBC suggests, "man up".

 

[TennisCJC]

I'm sensing some frustration from Tiriac because Fed won't attend his tournament. Let's face it, Federer is the main attraction on the tour right now. The fact that he's still playing and being competitive at an age where many past greats had already retired for many years has more than earned him the right to pick the tournament he wants to play if he says so. People should understand that Federer still playing is just a nice bonus on top of everything he's given to the tour.

It would be good if Zverev would start winning multi majors per year. My 30 year old daughter thinks he is "a babe" and watches his matches. He could be like Borg and generate some interest among teenagers - the girls would think he is a "babe" and the guys would want to be like him. Tennis could use another golden boy when Federer retires.

 

[heninfan99]

Bring back blue clay!

 

[Dedans Penthouse]

Agree with him that Federer is a cheat for skipping clay seasons.

Tiriac's one to throw around the word "cheat" - try this one on for size: . Davis Cup, Bucharest, Romania, 1972. .

Ion Tiriac cheated his ass off non-stop.... (and to no avail).

sleezy, . greasy . . dirtbag​

 

[sportmac]

Highly doubt the men are asking him about "their money". If he doesn't want to negotiate with the women then don't. But don't complain about what you negotiated with after the fact.

And how did he get 25%? Is he selling tickets to men and women matches separately? I buy a ticket at the Citi Open it's for the grounds and a seat in the stadium. I can go to any of the matches during the week.
If not then I want to see how he came to that figure. He must have the information since it's a "fact".

If the women aren't playing will he guarantee more money for the men? Will he up the prize money 25%?

This women are taking money out of men's pockets is nonsense. The ATP and WTA are not the same organization. They don't sit down at the table together and negotiate with the events.

If the WTA is getting equal money then they're doing their job.