Top players demand bigger share from Grand Slams
World number one Aryna Sabalenka has said that tennis players may eventually boycott a Grand Slam tournament if their concerns over prize money and decision making are not addressed. She believes collective action could become necessary if talks continue to stall.
Sabalenka said players feel they deserve a larger share of revenue from the four majors. She also pointed to concerns about scheduling and limited influence in key tournament decisions. Her comments came during the Italian Open in Rome, where she stressed that players are central to the sport’s success.
Growing unity among top-ranked stars
Sabalenka was not alone in raising the issue. Coco Gauff supported the idea of a boycott if all players agree to act together. She said real change would only happen if the group moved as one, similar to players in other major sports who formed unions to negotiate better conditions.
Elena Rybakina also said she would follow the majority decision, even if she is not directly involved in the campaign. Jessica Pegula, however, expressed doubts about strike action, saying players value the Grand Slams too much to skip them.
Concerns over prize money distribution
Players are unhappy with recent prize money increases at major tournaments. At the French Open, the prize pool rose by 9.5 percent, which players argue is still below the share they believe they deserve from overall revenue.
In contrast, the US Open increased its prize fund by 20 percent, while the Australian Open raised it by nearly 16 percent. Wimbledon is expected to announce its updated figures soon.
Negotiation versus boycott debate
While some players are open to stronger action, others prefer continued discussion. Iga Swiatek said a boycott would be too extreme and emphasized the importance of communication with tournament organizers.
She believes structured talks could lead to better outcomes without disrupting the sport. Many players agree that negotiation should remain the first step, even as pressure for change continues to grow.
