Jo Durie turned down £25,000 to play in Australia for her brother’s wedding

Jo Durie was the number 1 player for the British women’s team for most of her career. She won two Grand Slam mixed doubles titles with Jeremy Bates: at Wimbledon in 1987 and at the Australian Open in 1991.

She also became the second British woman after Virginia Wade to win $1 million in prize money, writes Peter Robertson.

Jo retired in 1995 to become a coach and BBC commentator. Now 63, she is a senior performance coach and mentor for the Unique Tennis Academy at Hazelwood Sports Club, in North London, where she lives.

What did your parents teach you about money?

There was never much money when I was younger. I have three brothers. We were told never to waste money or buy anything we couldn’t afford. My dad worked at Lloyds Bank and he always said, ‘Pay things off, pay people back, never owe anything.’

What was your first salary?

For the Junior Championships in Eastbourne in 1972 and 1973, I think I won £30, but it may have been more like a tenner. In the final I beat my great rival and friend Debbie Jevans, who is now the boss at Wimbledon.

Have you ever struggled to make ends meet?

Yes. When I left school at 16 and moved to London, my parents couldn’t give me much money. I got help from the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association), but it was tight until I started winning at 18.

Have you ever been paid a ridiculously high salary?

In 1984 I was once offered £25,000 (nearly £80,000 today) to fly business class to Australia for a weekend to play an exhibition event, I think with Steffi Graf and two male players. But I would have missed my brother Christopher’s wedding so I said no. I hope he appreciated it!

What was the best year of your financial life?

It was 1983/84. I was reaching the semi-finals of Grand Slams, the prize money was going up, I was ranked number 5 in the world and I was getting great sponsorship deals. That meant I could afford to move from an apartment to the house where I still live.

Are you a spender or a saver?

Saver. I like nice things, but I make sure I don’t go too far out of my comfort zone.

What’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought for fun?

In 2001 I decided to buy a Mini Cooper for £12,000. It was the most ridiculous decision as at 6ft I could barely fit myself and my tennis and golf gear in it. I kept it for a year.

What’s your biggest financial mistake?

In the 80s, when I started doing well, I was very naive and invested in a few things that friends of friends said, ‘This would be a good investment’. But they were projects that never got off the ground and I lost about £20,000. These days I ask more questions.

What’s the best financial decision you’ve ever made?

In 1984/85 I paid off my mortgage of £68,000, when I started earning a lot of money.

Do you still have a pension?

Yes, and I’m surprised how well it’s done. I haven’t stopped. I’m not married and I don’t have kids, so I don’t panic about having enough money in case something goes wrong with my health.

Do you own real estate?

My house in London. It has three bedrooms and a nice little garden. Years ago I was tempted to buy a house in La Manga, Spain, where I sometimes coach and play golf, but I never did and I regret it.

Do you donate money to charity?

Yes, I have three cats and donate to the RSPCA. Also to the RNLI and North London Hospice.

What would you have done if tennis hadn’t worked out?

I was very interested in a career as a physiotherapist, that was my contingency plan.

But luckily when I was 18 I met my great coach Alan Jones (who passed away in April) and was able to get sponsorship. We never had a contract – our relationship was based on trust.

To what extent do you think prize money influences players’ motivation?

In my day we all had to play tournaments to earn enough money to travel and have a coach. Nowadays the money is great, but I see a lot of tournaments where players pull out and you wonder what that means for them.

Do you think women should receive equal prize money?

Yes. We give everything, and if you want us to play five-set matches (instead of three sets), we will do that.

You are the second British player to win a million dollars in prize money. What did you think of that?

When I heard that I was really surprised and proud. It was hard to get to that point and I fought like crazy. When Jeremy (Bates) and I won the Wimbledon mixed doubles we were given £25,000 to share. I treated myself and my family, went on holiday and bought some shares.

Would you have won more if you hadn’t played with Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf?

I don’t know. There were other good players. I never beat Martina or Chrissie, but it was a privilege to play when they did, and Steffi too, it made me play better.

The prize money in tennis is much higher these days. Would you rather play in the match today?

I’m not sure. I was lucky enough to grow up with an amateur feel for the game, and wooden rackets. We didn’t have social media back then, which I’m glad about. I loved my career at that time and I was going to continue doing that.

If you were the new Chancellor, what would you do?

I would choose to abolish inheritance tax.

What is your biggest indulgence?

Nice golf equipment and courses. Although I am very average at it, I enjoy a day of golf with my friends. My handicap is about 15. I have been too competitive in my tennis career to worry about being competitive in golf. I would have loved to have been a golfer – it would have been great not to have to run anywhere!

What is your biggest financial priority?

To make sure I have enough money so that I feel safe if something happens to my health.

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