By Nick Georgandis

It looks like Janko Tipsarevic doesn’t want Gilles Simon hogging all the negative press for himself.

Last Wednesday, while speaking to Swiss newspaper Berner Zeitung, Tipsarevic was quoted as saying: "In women's tennis it’s very different. I do not underestimate the achievements of Victoria Azarenka and the others, but their best time is over. That was when the Williams sisters, Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin and Amelie Mauresmo were at the top. I wouldn't say a good junior could beat Serena 6-1, 6-2, but it is ridiculous that women get equal prize money at the Grand Slams."

So not only does Tipsarevic believe women aren’t equal in prize money, but that the peak of their game has already been reached.

I'll give Tipsarevic the benefit of the doubt on not remembering the accomplishments of Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova and even Steffi Graf, after all, the guy wasn't born until 1984.

But thinking that the era of Amelie Mauresmo -- who won exactly two Grand Slams -- is the peak of the WTA's existence -- is more than a little bizarre, particularly given that Maria Sharapova recently completed her career Grand Slam and Serena Williams just won her 14th Grand Slam overall.

The words are an odd, and disappointing message from a player who rose to popularity late in 2010 by upsetting Andy Roddick in the US Open and heping Serbia claim a dramatic come-from-behind victory in the Davis Cup finals.

Currently ranked No. 8 in the world, Tipsarevic is in no way hurting for money. He's piled up just over $1 million while going 39-15 in 2012 with a single title, and is above $5.5 million in career earnings.

So where does Tipsarevic's angst towards his female counterparts come from?

Perhaps, he's just a sexist who believes his game -- with five sets and bigger, faster serves -- is more grueling and thus, deserving a bigger pay check. Or maybe the reason is a little more latent -- after all, an entire carousel of female players have won Slams -- and thus big, big paychecks -- in the last few seasons, while Tipsarevic and other good but not great players like him are mired in a twilight zone of quarterfinal appearances behind the big three of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

Regardless of his reasons, Tipsarevic did himself no favors with his incendiary comments. Rather than worry so much about what the top players in the WTA are doing (and earning) -- he might want to take a bit more time figuring out how to beat the top players in the ATP: He's 2-15 all-time against the Big Three.

(Photo Credit: Andy Kentla)