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 July 1, 2002 | 2028 IST
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Time for equal pay, says Navratilova

It is time that women tennnis players had equal pay with men, says Wimbledon great Martina Navratilova.

She has moved to back the campaign for prize money to be on the same level at all tournaments around the world, arguing that "The men's game might be five sets but in the women's game the ball is actually in play longer. There are less interruptions and we ought to be paid for quality rather than quantity."

----

John McEnroe is convinced -- Wimbledon 2002 could well be an all-British final, giving the host country its first chance to land the coveted title since Fred Perry won 66 years ago.

"It is a distinct possibility that we will see an all-British final between Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski as long as they don't allow themselves to think too much about that because that will only bring more pressure on them," he said.

The former Wimbledon champion was fiercely impressed by the way Rusedski demolished young American hopeful Andy Roddick with his booming serve.

"If Rusedski can maintain his level, he can beat anyone out there," McEnroe forecast.

----

Many players have superstitious little routines which they hope will bring them victory -- but Jelena Dokic must surely take the prize for the most elaborate of all.

In a determined bid to bring herself good luck, Dokic never steps on the white lines on the court and blows on her right hand while waiting to receive a serve.

But that is not all. When she is serving, she bounces the ball five times before her first serve and then twice if Lady Luck has forced here into a second serve.

And there is still more -- she asks the ball boys and girls to throw her the balls underarm and at the change of end she always has to sit on the left of the umpire.

----

Monica Seles is having fun -- and that is something to cherish for the former world number one whose career was shattered at its height when she was stabbed in 1993 by a crazed German fan of her arch rival Steffi Graf.

"I was just happy that I decided to come back," she said. "Physically I was able to play. Emotionally I still wanted to play. The love that I had for the game -- no one could take that away from me."

"As for the game of tennis, I'll keep playing as long as I can because I love it as a sport, for sure."

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