Novak Djokovic backtracks on comments over tennis prize money

Novak Djokovic has further backtracked on his suggestion that men's prize money should be higher than that paid in women's tennis.

Djokovic initially issued an apology on Tuesday after claiming that "the stats show we have much more spectators on the men's tennis matches. I think that's one of the reasons why maybe we should get awarded more."

I don't make any differences between the genders. I am for equality in the sport.

The world No 1 was responding to questions about BNP Paribas Open tournament director Raymond Moore's earlier comments that women's tennis "rides on the coat-tails" of the men's game.

Moore, who has since apologised and resigned, also said female players should "get down on [their] knees and thank God that Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal were born", and commented on the physical attractiveness of players such as Eugenie Bouchard and Garbine Muguruza.

Women's world No 1 Serena Williams led the opposition to his comments while British men's No 1 Andy Murray spoke out strongly in support of equal prize money.

And at the Miami Open on Wednesday, Djokovic reiterated his support for equality on and off-court.

"I have just been speaking with Billie Jean King about opportunities tennis players have and the influences we can have in different fields of life," he said.

"Andy sent me a message, we spoke very openly and frankly. I sent a message to Serena, Caroline Wozniacki and others, I just wanted them to understand and I never had any intention to offend or have a negative connotation of my statements.

"I don't make any differences between the genders. I am for equality in the sport.

"I feel very sorry if, in any way, I hurt my female colleague tennis players. I have a very good relationship with all of them. I have a huge respect for all of them."

Djokovic, who faces Britain's Kyle Edmund in the second round in Miami, added: "I was shocked at the effect this story had in the media. There is a lot attention on what I say and I want to repeat there were no bad intentions.  

"What Raymond Moore said was very inappropriate and people thought I was speaking in line with him."

Legendary women's player King was at the forefront of a campaign in the 1970s to bring equality for women.

"Anytime you discount another human being by gender, by race, by disability or whatever, we're not helping ourselves."

King continued: "To argue over this prize money issue, what about when Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova were playing and their ratings were better than the men? We didn't go, 'Oh, we deserve more than the men. No, let's just keep it equal. Let's help each other.' 

"Anyway, it's not a 'he' thing. It's not a 'she' thing. It's a 'we' thing."

Evert, who won 18 Grand Slam singles titles between 1974 and 1986, said: "I think that it's all about buying tickets. It's all about entertainment value. And the women certainly have proven themselves to be equal with the men."