Swiss player Marc Rosset reopened tennis's battles of the sexes last night when he claimed women players were earning "huge money with no big effort."
In response to accusations that the men's game has become boring, Rosset said that too few women players produce powerful tennis.
"Maybe four or five girls on the tour," he said. "But I think the rest of the women are not in good shape."
The men's game has been criticised for lacking a charismatic star in contrast to the women's game which has several exciting young players like Martina Hingis, Anna Kournikova and the Williams sisters - Venus and Serena.
Rosset begged to differ. "I don't think Pete Sampras to stay number one has plenty of time to go for shopping or sightseeing and to be a fashion model on the street," he said.
"So if they (the women) have time, I think it's because the tennis is really weak. I mean, compared to a guy who's ranked 25 or 20 in the world, he has to practise hard and he's really tough.
"And I think for the women to be (at the same position) - it's much easier."
Rosset was speaking after reaching the semi-finals of the Kremlin Cup in Moscow, beating Jan Kroslak in straight sets.
Top-seed Marcelo Rios, of Chile, reached the quarter-finals of the Chevrolet Cup in Santiago and strengthened his bid for the number one world ranking with a 6-2 6-2 victory over Martin Rodriguez of Argentina.
