A group of the world’s highest-ranked tennis players has reportedly come together to request a significant increase in prize money from the four Grand Slam tournaments — the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open.
According to French sports outlet L’Équipe, the top 20 male and female players co-signed a letter addressed to the tournament organizers, urging a “substantial increase” in prize money and a more equitable distribution of revenue. The letter argues that a fairer share of Grand Slam profits should be allocated to the players — the key stakeholders of the sport.
Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen, currently ranked world No. 8, voiced her support for the effort during a press conference at the Charleston Open, calling it a “really positive” step for players across all rankings.
“This isn’t just about the top players,” Zheng said. “It’s about everyone who works hard all year and depends on Grand Slam earnings to sustain their careers. I believe it will benefit the entire tour.”
Zheng said the initiative gained momentum following conversations with veteran player Victoria Azarenka. Initially skeptical, she said she was encouraged after discussing the proposal with her management team.
American player Emma Navarro, ranked No. 11, also weighed in on the issue, telling Reuters that the letter addresses longstanding “unfair pay ratios” in professional tennis. “It’s important we come together as players and advocate for fair treatment,” she said.
Despite consistent growth in Grand Slam prize money, players argue that the current payouts still don’t reflect the overall revenues of these high-profile events. The 2024 US Open offered a record $75 million in prize money, up 15% from the previous year. Wimbledon followed with a tournament-high $65 million (£50 million), while the 2024 Australian Open reached about $60 million (AUD $96.5 million), a 12% increase. Last year’s French Open had a prize pool of approximately $59 million (€53.5 million), up nearly 8% from 2023.
The push for more prize money also comes amid broader tensions between players and governing bodies. In recent weeks, the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) filed lawsuits against the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). The lawsuits accuse these organizations of monopolistic behavior and neglecting player welfare, claiming they operate “as a cartel.”
In response, both the ATP and WTA expressed disappointment over the legal actions and said they would defend their positions “vigorously.” The ITF said it would review the situation, and the ITIA confirmed awareness of the filings.
As the tennis world awaits official responses from Grand Slam organizers, the unified stance from top players marks a rare and potentially game-changing moment in the sport’s power dynamics.