'Disgusted' Wimbledon champion rages over 'unfair' rules and prize money | Tennis

Maxime Janvier has expressed his disappointment at the division of players at Wimbledon and the uneven distribution of prize money. The Frenchman made his SW19 main draw debut this week but was disappointed by the experience.

After being eliminated twice in qualifying for the third Grand Slam of the season, Janvier finally managed to qualify for the finals this year. However, he failed to progress further after losing in three sets to Zhizhen Zhang on Monday.

It was still enough to pocket the £60,000 singles prize money for reaching the first round. It is still considered a fortune and highly valued for a middling contender like world number 225 Janvier – but other signs of inequality have emerged.

“Here, we are not all treated the same way. I learned for example that there are two locker rooms: one for the top seeds and one for the others. I don’t know why, I discover things,” he told journalists. “Am I the one who is different? I don’t know, but that’s what disgusted me.”

“I don’t know why I would be a rebel, I just say things.” Janvier then questioned the allocation of wildcards, points and even prize money at SW19, adding: “Why am I focusing on money? Because that’s what’s left. There’s no stability. The system is very harsh.”

The allocation of wild cards, points and even prize money, it’s all there. Why am I on the money? Because that’s what’s left. Mark Lajal (269th in the world), if he beats (Carlos) Alcaraz, he will have only taken 45 points. He will have to win back a lot of points. There is no stability. The system is very tough.”

The Challenger Tour regular expressed his “disappointment” after losing 6-7(4), 3-6, 2-6 to Zhang, noting that he had failed to add any money to his coffers. The 1.95m star said he hoped to one day taste the “financial jackpot” offered to top players, but some of his comments suggest the desire to continue chasing that dream may be fading.

Janvier, 27, made headlines in his hometown of France when he was heard shouting “For the money!” after winning his second qualifying match at SW19. He then shouted “Home! Home!” (a reference to his inflated winnings) when he qualified for the main draw.

The relief was evident for a player who has struggled to break into the upper echelons of tennis, with three first-round exits at Roland Garros his only other Grand Slam experience. After his Wimbledon breakthrough, Janvier – who reached a career-high ranking of 170 in the world in 2019 – gave a bleak view of life on the tour and wondered whether he would have pursued his dreams had he known the realities.

“I would like people to warn kids about this. You need rich parents or people who help you if you don’t have them, like sponsors,” he added. “People need to know that we are not all Nadal, Djokovic or Medvedev. This is not the reality. These are five, maybe eight or 10 players.”

Hopefully, his first taste of the Wimbledon main draw will serve as a springboard to more regular appearances on the major circuit. If nothing else, his outspoken and flamboyant performances at SW19 have helped to introduce him to fans who might otherwise be unaware of his talents.

That being said, Janvier said he would give himself until the age of 30 before considering hanging up his racquet for good.

“If in three years I’m 400th in the world, I’ll give myself three months to get back up, otherwise I’ll stop,” he told L’Équipe. “When I can’t do this anymore, I’ll say goodbye without regret and I’ll say to the youngsters: ‘Good luck!'”