Karolina Pliskova hits out at 'super weak' male tennis players amid complaints over equal pay
Karolina Pliskova has hit out at 'super weak' male players who oppose women receiving identical prize money.
The Czech player, ranked third in the WTA world rankings, will return to action in the newly-created LiveScore Cup in Prague next week.
While the ATP and WTA tours remain suspended, Pliskova has weighed on the possibility of both tours merging to form one alliance after calls from senior players such as Roger Federer.
There is currently equal pay at the four grand slams, but a big disparity during the rest of the year. And while the 27-year-old insists she does not crave equal pay, she is not happy about men who speak out against it.
Asked whether a possible merge between the two tours should bring equal pay, Pliskova told the PA news agency: "I don't think so and I am not the one who wants it.
"But I don't like the men who are complaining that we would get the same money. I think it is super weak from them that they complain we have the same money as them.
"The only time it is true is at grand slams. I understand they play longer, but they are men. They are stronger than us. I don't see the reason why we should compare each other.
"I don't need to have the same prize money as men. But to have the same chance to play on centre court or to have the same chance to be on TV, that should be possible with these changes."
Pliskova, who reached the US Open final in 2016, is among a growing number of players - from both tours - who would support the merge.
She added: "I think for the women's tour it can only help. I don't know exactly what they are discussing but if there is any chance to say yes, then I would say yes.
"It needs to be positive also for the ATP so they need to find a balance so it is a forward step for both. It might take a couple of years to get going. It will be different, but I don't think for the players it would change that much. It would be a good step."
Additional reporting from the Press Association.
