New Delhi, May 6: The world’s top-ranked female tennis player, Aryna Sabalenka, stated on Tuesday that players deserve a larger share of the prize money at Grand Slam tournaments. The four-time Grand Slam champion expressed her willingness to boycott tournaments to secure a fairer distribution of earnings.
In a press conference at the Italian Open, Sabalenka remarked, “I believe the show is ours. Without us, there is no tournament. It’s not entertainment without players. We certainly deserve a larger share. I think at some point, we will boycott. That is the only way to fight for our rights.”
She added, “We girls can easily come together and push for this. I think some things are very wrong for the players. At some point, it will reach a tipping point. Last year, almost all major players signed two letters addressed to the four Grand Slam organizers. These letters demanded an increase in prize money, better retirement benefits, and improved maternity opportunities for player welfare. The letters aimed for a 22% share of tournament revenue, aligning with the nine joint 1000-level events run by the ATP Men’s Tour and the WTA Tour.”
Poland’s Iga Swiatek, a four-time French Open champion, commented, “The decision to boycott tournaments might be a bit excessive.”
Swiatek emphasized, “To be honest, the most important thing is to have proper communication and discussions with the governing bodies. We should have a platform to voice our concerns. Hopefully, we will have the opportunity for such a meeting before the French Open, and we will see what happens.”
Players released a statement on Monday, asserting that the 9.5% increase in prize money announced by the French Open is insufficient. Last year, the French Open generated €395 million, a 14% increase from the previous year. However, the total purse saw only a 5.4% rise, leading to a decrease in players’ revenue share to 14.3%. Estimates suggest that this year’s French Open revenue will exceed €400 million, prompting players to demand an increase in their earnings. Sabalenka has intensified pressure on organizers to reconsider prize money ahead of the French Open 2026, scheduled from May 18 to June 7, 2026.
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