Wimbledon 2012: Frenchman Gilles Simon claims men deserve better prize money than ladies It is an opinion that has drawn much criticism and comment from the women's locker room. Simon's countrywoman Marion Bartoli, the world No 9 and 2007 finalist here, hit back with a staunch defence of the effort women players put in to their careers, which she feels only receives recognition at the four major events. Bartoli said there are only "five or six" men who draw the crowds and the television audiences that underpin what are now £1.15 million prizes for both singles winners at Wimbledon. "Over the year, we are a long way from earning as much as the men," she said. [Equal pay] is unique to the grand slams and certain tournaments. We put in as much as they do. The physical demands, the training and the investment in ourselves are the same as theirs. Sloane Stephens, the world No 59, was even more withering about the Frenchman's view. "Whatever he says means nothing to me," she said. Yeah, whatever. There is history between the 19-year-old American and Simon which might serve to explain her dismissiveness. She recounted how nine years ago when she was a ball girl at an event in Florida Simon had allegedly hit a ball into her torso, for which he did not apologise. She claimed the Frenchman had also sought to displace her from a practice court in Portugal. There was no opportunity to seek Simon's response Tuesday night, as he was preparing for his Court 1 exertions against Belgium's Xavier Malisse, a match that was affected by the rain delays. Not all women players have been so robust in their defence of the Wimbledon status quo, however. Britain's Heather Watson, fresh from her straight-sets victory over Jamie Lee Hampton on Wednesday, expressed her understanding for Simon's point of view about the Grand Slams. But she did espouse the view that at the tour events there should be equality between the sexes. "I think it is tough for the guys, especially at Wimbledon because it's five sets," said the British No 3. At all the other tournaments it should be the same. We play the same amount of sets and have to work just as hard. That is not currently the case. Wimbledon's top-seeded man, Novak Djokovic, has earned $4,789,340 in prize money this year, having won two titles. Maria Sharapova has taken $4,369,006 from her three title wins. Either way, Simon's call is not about to be answered. Philip Brook, the All England Club chairman, has dismissed the chances of a pay review. Speaking in April he said: "We thought it the right thing to do then [when pay parity was introduced in 2007] and we still think it the right thing to do today. There will not be any changes.