World number one Lindsay Davenport [Images] welcomed the introduction of equal prize money for men and women at the Dubai Open on Monday.

The Middle Eastern event has become the first tennis tournament outside of the Australian and U.S. Opens to offer equal prize money to both sexes.

"The depth and quality of play on the WTA Tour, combined with the soaring popularity and media interest in our game, warrants equal compensation for our players," WTA Tour chief Larry Scott said on the opening day of the women's tournament.

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The owners and organisers, Dubai Duty Free, have this year raised the total pot for the women from $585,000 to match the $1 million paid last week in the men's event.

Davenport said despite the latest breakthrough, the fight for equal prize money was not yet over.

"We hear different reasons for and against it, like we don't play three out of five sets or the matches are shorter in the earlier rounds," said Davenport.

"I think it's going to be a fight for a couple more years. People have strong opinions and have been raised a certain way in what they believe.

"But it's the same sport with a different ways to play it. We try and do the best in our field and they try to do the best in theirs.

"We don't have as big a serve and we're probably not as fast but we construct maybe longer points. The tennis is just a different style. It doesn't make it, in my mind, any better or worse.

"We're in a better position now than at any time in my career and hopefully we'll keep trying to sway those people that believe against it. I find it a challenge."

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