Wimbledon officials are fighting the risk of a boycott from this season's Championships - by opening negotiations with rebel players.

Last year's tournament was dogged with controversy, with Spanish clay-court specialists Alex Corretja and Albert Costa pulling out over seedings which did not reflect world rankings.

Gustavo Kuerten has threatened to withdraw but tournament chairman Tim Phillips has moved to head off the row.

He said: "I have spoken with Alex Corretja about the situation and we are hoping to reach an agreement by the end of the French Open - the following week we have to seed the Championships.

"But I can confirm that we will not use a seeding committee for the men's singles. We believe we can find a solution that answers most of the problems. "The problem is to try and balance the wishes of the players with the demands of the public."

But Phillips' balancing act does not end there. More controversy surrounded the tournament earnings split between men and women.

The Championships have declared a percentage increase in the women's prize pot that outstrips the men's, but Phillips defended the earnings contrast.

He said: "We work off the market situation. This is nothing to do with women's rights, it is to do with the marketplace."