Emma Navarro has confirmed she was one of the players who co-signed a letter demanding more prize money from the four Grand Slams.
On Wednesday French newspaper L’Equipe reported that top 20 players from both the men’s and women’s Tours have sent a letter demanding a higher percentage of the revenue generated at the four major events. For example, last year’s French Open generated an estimated revenue of €338 million with overall prize money totalling €53.478 million. This works out as a 16% share for players who argue that the share should be higher to keep the sport in line with others.
Navarro was one of the first players to publicly confirm the letter had been sent. Speaking to reporters after beating Hailey Baptiste, 6-4, 6-3, in the second round of the Charleston Open, the world No.11 said it is important that players are being treated fairly.
“I talked a little bit to the other players about it and felt like it was a good idea to sign,” said Navarro.
“I think there have been some sort of unfair pay ratios – I don’t know the correct terminology – but in the past.
“I think it’s a good cause to come together as players and make sure we’re getting treated fairly.”
China’s world No.8 Qinwen Zheng said she found out about the letter after speaking to Victoria Azarenka, who is a member of the WTA Players Council. After having initial doubts over the chances of it happening, she put her name on the letter. Describing the initiative as a ‘positive benefit for all tennis players.’
“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,” said Zheng.
“If you look at basketball, they all get paid 50-50. The players, we’re working really hard, because I’m a tennis player I know how much I’ve worked to arrive here,” she added.
Meanwhile, world No.4 Jessica Pegula was reluctant to talk about the topic but said she hopes more information will be available ‘soon.’
“I think that’s something I don’t want to talk about too much,” Pegula said. “It’s just something that we’re working with our WTA PBR [Player Board Representatives] with, and hopefully we’ll have more information about that soon. But I don’t want to go into that too much just because—I don’t know—I shouldn’t.” Ben Rothenberg’s BOUNCES quoted Pegula as saying.
There is yet to be any comment from the four Grand Slam events concerning the letter. However, each of them has increased their prize money year-on-year. For example, this year’s Australian Open had a prize money pool of AUD $96.5 million which was a 12% increase on 2024. Meanwhile, the US Open offered $75 million in player compensation last year which was 15% higher than 12 months prior.
However, both of these increases still work out to be less than a quarter of the revenue both events generate.
