Some of the top tennis players are demanding more rewards for Grand Slams. They have sent a letter to the organizers asking for more money.
Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are among 20 leading tennis players who signed a letter sent to the heads of the four Grand Slam tournaments.
Of the 20, 15 have won at least one Grand Slam title or reached a major final.
The letter was first reported by French newspaper L’Equipe in which a request was sought for a meeting to discuss players receiving a greater share of the revenue generated by the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.
World number 11 Emma Navarro cited “unfair pay ratios” as a reason for putting her name to the letter.
“I talked a little bit to the other players about it and felt like it was a good idea to sign”, the 23-year-old American said on Wednesday.
“I think it’s a good cause to come together as players and make sure we’re getting treated fairly.”
But players have frequently pointed to the vast revenues generated by the Grand Slams, and feel they deserve a significantly larger return.
Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen said increased prize money would be particularly significant for lower-ranked players, who often struggle financially at other times of the year.
“I think that’s going to benefit all the players, not only the top players, especially those that work hard during the year and need to get paid from the Grand Slams and have to survive,” added the Chinese world number eight.
“We try to do what we can, and then let’s see what the gods bring to us. But at least we’re trying.”
Grand Slam Prize Money: Players outline three areas they want to focus on:
- Grand Slam tournaments should make financial contributions to player welfare programs funded by the two pro tours.
- Prize money should increase “to a more appropriate percentage of tournament revenues, reflective of the players’ contribution to tournament value.”
- The athletes should have more say in decisions “directly impacting competition, as well as player health and welfare.”
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This is the second letter in over two weeks that tennis players have written to organisers. Last month, the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) launched legal action against tennis’ governing bodies, citing “anti-competitive practices and a blatant disregard for player welfare”.
The lawsuit by the players’ group, which was co-founded by Novak Djokovic, seeks an end to what it describes as “monopolistic control” of the tennis tour, as well as financial compensation from the ATP, the WTA, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
