A group of top 20 players representing both the men’s and women’s Tours have contacted the four Grand Slam events demanding more prize money, according to French media.
L’Equipe has reported that a letter has been sent to each of the four majors calling for those tournaments to hand out a greater share of their revenue to players. It is unclear why such a move has taken place now but it comes less than a month after the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) launched their own legal against the sports governing bodies. Although the PTPA lawsuit isn’t targeting the Grand Slams specifically and has instead named them as co-conspirators.
The names of those who have co-signed this letter have not been released publicly. However, both Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka have called for players to receive a greater share of tournament revenue in recent weeks.
“Something I would like to see is not only WTA players, but all of the players getting probably more percentage they’re making out of the tournaments, the slams especially,” world No.1 Sabalenka said last month.
“I think that’s fair enough and if we look at other sports, I think the percentage goes completely differently. That’s the only wish I have.”
Meanwhile Gauff has previously said this issue of players receiving a higher percentage of the revenue is ‘the biggest thing for her.’
It is reported that last year’s French Open generated a revenue of around €338 million with overall prize money totalling €53.478 million. This works out as a 16% share for players. It is estimated that the share of revenue for players at the Australian Open ranges between 15-20%.
Grand Slams argue that they have all committed to increasing their prize money each year. Wimbledon has increased their pool by 22% in two years from $209million in 2022 to $254m in 2024. Although players say the share of the revenue should be higher to keep in line with other sports.
So far there has been no comment from either players or the tennis authorities on the letter reportedly sent.
