In a significant show of unity, top tennis players Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner have voiced their strong support for Aryna Sabalenka's stance on increasing prize money at Grand Slam tournaments. The world number one, Sinner, speaking at the Italian Open, stressed that the issue transcends financial gain, framing it as a matter of respect for the athletes who drive the sport's commercial success.
The controversy intensified after the French Open announced a 10 percent increase to its total prize fund, bringing it to over 53 million pounds. Despite this nominal rise, a collective of leading players, including Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek, issued a statement expressing deep disappointment. Their core argument is that the players' share of the tournament's overall revenue has actually decreased, falling to an estimated 14.9 percent for the 2026 event, down from 15.5 percent in 2024.
Sinner articulated the players' frustration, noting that after a year of discussions following a letter sent to all four Grand Slam organizers, they are not close to a resolution. He highlighted that players at regular ATP and WTA Tour events receive a significantly larger revenue share, around 30 percent when including profit-sharing and bonuses. "We've been quiet for a long time, and now the time has come to raise our voice," Sinner stated, adding that while they are not demanding a 50 percent share, the current allocation is too low.
The players' demands, outlined to each Grand Slam, center on three key areas: a higher prize money-to-revenue ratio to better reflect their contribution, increased funding for player pensions, healthcare, and maternity support, and a formal say in major scheduling and operational decisions to address issues like late-night finishes and grueling tournament lengths.
Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, offered his endorsement from the sidelines. Although he stepped away from the Professional Tennis Players Association earlier in the year, he praised Sabalenka's leadership in navigating the complex politics of the sport. Djokovic emphasized that conflicts of interest within tennis's governance often go unaddressed, and he consistently supports empowering the players' position within the ecosystem.
The sport's fragmented structure, with seven different organizing bodies including the four Slams, ATP, WTA, and ITF, is cited as a complicating factor. Djokovic called for a cooperative approach, acknowledging tennis as a major global business that requires all stakeholders to work together to find a fair formula.
Looking ahead, the player coalition is awaiting announcements from Wimbledon and the US Open regarding their 2026 prize money. Sinner expressed hope for better offers from these tournaments, signaling that the players' campaign is far from over and that their collective voice is now firmly raised in pursuit of a more equitable partnership with the sport's biggest events.
Based on reporting from SkySports | News.