Kafelnikov doesn’t care what rivals think about money

Agassi was blunt in his assessment of Kafelnikov’s claim that tennis players fare poorly in comparison with other professional sports like golf, saying the Russian should take his prize money and `buy some perspective’.

Agassi and Sampras were angry that Kafelnikov, a multi-millionaire with his own jet, claimed to speak for many of the players on a professional men’s circuit that carries prize money of $65.5 million excluding the four grand slams.

Sampras said players were overpaid, an opinion backed by former ATP tour player representative Todd Martin.

Agassi, the defending Australian Open champion, suggested Kafelnikov’s comments were disrespectful to tennis fans who made it possible for the players to make good livings.

“The only guys who made a statement were Americans – Sampras, Agassi and Martin,” said Kafelnikov, who has earned $18 million in career prize money.

The Russian, runner-up in Melbourne last year and winner in 1999, earlier reached the Australian Open fourth round by beating American Chris Woodruff 6-7, 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 – guaranteeing himself at least a $56,760 (US $31,785) in prize money.

He stood by his claims, maintaining that he was simply saying what many players thought. “Many guys in the locker room share my thoughts… they’re supporting me 100 percent,” he said.

(Reuters)