Rod Laver's reward for winning the first Wimbledon men's singles title in the Open era in 1968 was £2,000. Billie Jean King, Laver's counterpart as female champion, took home £750.

It was the first time prize money had been awarded at The Championships, as it was the first year in which professional players were eligible to compete. The following year the prizes were increased to £3,000 and £1,500 respectively.

Wimbledon's prize money continued to increase as its global stature grew, with the men's champion breaking the £100,000 barrier for the first time in 1984. The women's prize did not reach six figures until one year later.

The continued discrepancy caused plenty of controversy, particularly as both the US and Australian Opens were staunch advocates of awarding equal pay to men's and women's participants.

The lobby increased in 2006, when the French Open announced it would give equal pay to its champions, a move which left Wimbledon isolated, but defiant. Their decision not to immediately follow suit was criticised by top players and by the WTA Tour chief executive, Larry Scott, who called the move "morally indefensible".

The following year Wimbledon finally bowed to growing pressure and All England Club chairman Tim Phillips announced its women's champion would receive the same as the leading man - £700,000.

Despite the shrinking global economy, Wimbledon announced a significant 6.2 per cent increase for the 2009 Championships, with the winners set to receive a record £850,000 each.