Andy Murray is making his mark on and off the court

The Scot's 6-3, 6-2 win over Sergiy Stakhovskiy of Ukraine was pleasingly trouble-free, sending him into the third round of a tournament where he had previously won just one match in three visits.

He will take on Dutchman Robin Haase or Santiago Giraldo of Spain tomorrow for a place in the last eight but it was his presence at a meeting with the Wimbledon chairman, Philip Brook, and the former British No.1 Tim Henman, in Indian Wells last month that is even more significant than his continued progress on clay.

At the request of the players, Brook and Henman met Murray and the rest of the world's top four, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, with prize money the main topic on the agenda.

In the long run, it is the percentage of revenue given to the players – through prize money – that they want increased but for this year, a redistribution of the wealth will offer those players losing in the first round the biggest heart.

There had been mention of the word "strike" at the US Open last September but Murray and the leading players soon realised that fighting battles they can win is a far more attractive proposition.

Just under two weeks ago, Wimbledon officials were waiting anxiously for the French Open to announce its prize-money figures, and what they and Wimbledon have done has gone down well with Murray.

"This is something that the players wanted," Murray said yesterday. "It's been [talked about] in conversations for the last few months or even the last year. Hopefully, more of the Tour will be happy after this.

"A lot of the money that has come into tennis, where the prize money has improved, has been at the top end. We've spoken to the guys on the ATP board and the guys at the grand slams and many players. I'm glad it's happened and it's good progress."

At a press conference at Wimbledon yesterday, Brook said the All England Club was looking to "redress the balance" with its prize money, having taken a decision in 2006 to load the rewards in favour of the most successful players.

Now, Brook said, the club believes the rising costs of professional tennis mean it is necessary to give those losing in the early rounds, and in qualifying, a greater increase in prize money.

"If you look at what really, really drives the interests in tennis, and top tournaments such as Wimbledon, for sure it's about top players and top players being recognised for what they do on our courts," he said.

"Back in 2007 we took the view, and I think that was a view that was [also] held at the time elsewhere, that perhaps more needed to be done for the top players. I think we're now of the view that we need to redress the balance, which is what we've done."

Brook said he had been impressed with the attitude and professionalism of Murray and the top three.

"What we have in the top four players is a group of young men who are very responsible for all those around them," he said.

"What we heard was not a request for more money for them, but a recognition that this was an issue for the sport and that something needed to be done about it and they were there representing all the players on the tour in meeting with us."

For the record, first-round losers will now receive £14,500 – up 26.1% on 2011 – while the winner's cheque of £1.15m, is up by 4.5% on last year.

"I think anybody who is good enough in our sport to either come through qualifying or be a direct entry to our Championships, that is an achievement in itself," Brook said, rejecting criticism that Wimbledon is now rewarding failure. "Half the players do lose in the first round."

In the three years that Wimbledon has had a roof over Centre Court – at a cost of £80m – there has been virtually no rain in the fortnight of the Championships, as sod's aw would decree.

Perhaps officials know something forecasters don't, for it was also revealed yesterday that play on the outside courts will begin at 11.30am, in part to ensure that uncompleted matches are not held overnight.