Equality at last

© All England Lawn Tennis Club

"This is an historic and defining moment for women in the sport of tennis, and a significant step forward for the equality of women in our society," WTA Tour chief executive Larry Scott said in a statement.

It had been argued that women did not deserve equal prize money because they only play three sets and men play five, but after years of lobbying and calls for equal pay from such high-profile names as Tony Blair, John McEnroe and Tessa Jowell, Wimbledon is to become the last Grand Slam to award equal pay for men and women.