Wimbledon smashes the £10m prize barrier

Wimbledon prize money has risen above £10million for the first time this year but the All England Club have refused to bow to calls for equal prize money for men and women at the championships, which begin on 20 June.

The women's side of the game has been urging Wimbledon to fall into line with the Australian and US Opens by giving the two singles champions the same cash reward but the organisers have decided to stand alongside the French Open in maintaining a difference.

However, Tim Phillips, chairman of the All England club, revealed that the gap has been closed by £12,000 to reflect the increasing standard of the women's game. If Roger Federer retains his men's title he will collect £630,000 - up from £602,500 last year - while a second successive win by Maria Sharapova will earn the Russian teenager £600,000, which is up from £560,500 in 2004.

The overall prize money for the women's singles has been increased by nearly six per cent while the men's share is up by only 4.6 per cent.

Phillips said: "We are delighted that Wimbledon's prize money now exceeds £10m, the highest ever offered for a tennis tournament. We are also delighted to recognised the current stature of the women's game."

Work on the new roof for the centre court is on schedule and is expected to be finished in 2009 to provide the most famous tennis stadium in the world with a retractable cover.

One man who will not be present to officiate when this groundbreaking addition is unveiled will be referee Alan Mills. After 23 years of being the focus of world attention as he decides when play must stop because of rain, Mills is retiring after this year's championships. He will be succeeded by his assistant Andrew Jarrett. It is the second major change that Wimbledon must cope with as the long serving chief executive Chris Gorringe is retiring and will be replaced by Ian Ritchie.

Phillips added: "The success of the championships derives from the quality of the people who make it happen. The contribution of Alan Mills and the team he has led over the years cannot be underestimated and we are extremely grateful to Alan and his colleagues for the fantastic service they have given."

The top-price tickets for finals day at Wimbledon will be £79.