Watch: Venus Calls For Court Equality

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Watch: Venus Calls For Court Equality

Venus Williams led the fight for equal pay at Wimbledon.

Today, the five-time Wimbledon champion called for equality in court assignments.

More: Muguruza Shocked in Second Round

Some former champions said the former No. 1 was "disrespected" relegated to the outer confines of Court 18.

Playing with taping around her left thigh that seemed to make pushing up on serve a challenge, the eighth-seeded Williams defeated Maria Sakhari, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 to reach the singles third round.

Afterward, Venus said she has no issue with her court assignment, but believes both men and women should be assigned to outer courts.

"I'm not so much into disrespect. I'm willing to play anywhere, any time," Venus said. "Of course, I was happy to be on the schedule. I think if all players have to play outside, all players should have to play outside. There shouldn't be exceptions or any inequality to it. For me, no problems playing anywhere. Anyone should play anywhere.

"Both men and women (should play on outer courts). I played many times on outside courts. It didn't matter how many titles I had won or what my ranking was at that time. It didn't make a difference whether I played on an outside court or a center court. Like I said, I don't mind where I play. It's just as long as everyone plays on the outside courts, you know."

Some high seeds were assigned outer-court matches as the tournament scrambled to get back on schedule after rain interrupted play earlier this week. However, only seeded women—Venus, fourth-seeded Angelique Kerber, 31st-seeded Kristina Mladenovic and 19th-seeded Dominika Cibulkova—were scheduled for singles play on Court 18, which is one of the smallest show courts on the Wimbledon grounds.

Pressed on the court assignment issue, Williams stressed she's not asking to play on a show court, she's simply advocating equality for men and women's court assignments.

"To make it crystal clear, like I said, I wasn't unhappy to play on Court (18) I just want equality for men's and women's matches," Williams said. "That's what I'm unhappy about. I have no problem where I play. I'll play on the practice courts if I need to. I have no problem with that."

Former Wimbledon champion Andy Murray said he was surprised by Williams' court assignment, but pointed out seven-time champion Pete Sampras was once relegated to Court No. 2 in his last Wimbledon match, a loss to Swiss George Bastl.

"Yes, I guess, a little bit (of a surprise). As when Sampras played on Court 2 a number of years ago when he'd won a bunch of times," Murray said. "I mean, I think in general they do a pretty good job of trying to put the best matches for the fans, like Dimitrov‑Simon, neither of them are top 10 players, but it's a close, entertaining match. I guess they take that into consideration, as well, like what the best matches of the day are, rather than it just being the big names that play on the big courts."

After her opening-round win, the 36-year-old American said she was aiming to play the 2020 Olympic Games with sister Serena. The sisters won their opening-round doubles match on Court No. 3 today.

The former No. 1 reiterated she's not thinking about calling it quits anytime soon.

"It's hard to think about the end when you're playing well," Williams said. "I don't have any plans on making any comebacks. So when I'm done, I'll definitely lay it down, try to get a life of some sort. If I'm at 2020 and that's part of the plan, then I'll be there."

Photo credit: AELTC/Gary Hershorn

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