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Stevenson will get prize-money

Alexandra Stevenson will get her Wimbledon prize-money after all.

The WTA tour had ruled the 18-year-old American entered as an amateur and was ineligible for prize-money. But Wimbledon officials stepped in yesterday and overruled, saying Stevenson had professional status and was entitled to her winnings.

The player's mother, Samantha Stevenson, had threatened to take legal action to obtain the prize-money.

WTA Tour rules and Grand Slam rules state that ''a player who begins the first match as an amateur may not receive prize-money during that tournament.''

However, Wimbledon officials said their guidelines assume all players are professionals unless they are notified otherwise.

Stevenson is guaranteed of 26,280 pounds (42,340 dollars) for reaching a fourth-round match with fellow-American Lisa Raymond.

That match was rained out yesterday.

If she beats Raymond and reaches the quarter-finals, she's guaranteed 50,280 pounds (79,442 dollars).

"The (Wimbledon) Championships' player guidelines state that in order to protect their amateur status, a player has to register as an amateur,'' Wimbledon chief executive Christopher Gorringe said in a statement.

"Since Alexandra Stevenson did not register as an amateur for this event, we have assumed all along that she has been playing as a professional an is fully entitled to receive the prize-money.''

Samantha Stevenson had cited the Wimbledon guidelines earlier in making her case.

The 18-year-old Stevenson has had a dramatic debut at Wimbledon and is one of a record-three unseeded women to reach the fourth round, joining 16-year-olds Jelena Dokic and Kim Clijsters.

Stevenson and her mother declined to be interviewed yesterday.

Stevenson declined to elaborate on her charges of racism on the WTA Tour and fears her daughter faces sexual advances from female players.

Coach Craig Kardon refused to answer questions, and when the player and daughter were approached, Kardon said, "Don't even think about it.''

AP