ROME (AP) 鈥� The top tennis players are already upset they’re not receiving a bigger share of . Now they鈥檙e hoping Wimbledon and the U.S. Open respond to their demands, according to Jannik Sinner.
Fellow No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka said this week the .
鈥淚t鈥檚 more about respect. Because I think we give much more than what we are getting back,鈥� Sinner said on Thursday at the Italian Open. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not only for the top players; it鈥檚 for all of us players.鈥�
Sinner wouldn鈥檛 commit to a boycott.
鈥淚t鈥檚 tough to say,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 cannot predict the future in a way. But in the same time I also believe that somewhere we need to start.鈥�
The players have targeted the upcoming French Open for to an alleged 15% 鈥� compared to the 22% at ATP and WTA events like the Italian Open this week.
The same group of players sent a a year ago to the heads of the four Grand Slams seeking more prize money and a greater say in decision-making. Wimbledon increased its 2025 total pot by 7%, the U.S. Open by 20% and the Australian Open in January by 16%.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not nice that after one year we are not even close to conclusion of what we would like to have,鈥� Sinner said. 鈥淚 truly believe that within 48 hours you have not only a response but you also have a meeting.鈥�
French Open organizers announced last month they were increasing overall prize money by about 10% for an overall pot of 61.7 million euros ($72.1 million), with the total amount up 5.3 million euros from last year. But the players鈥� statement said 鈥渢he underlying figures tell a very different story,鈥� claiming they will receive a smaller share of tournament revenues.
The players claim their share of Roland Garros revenue has declined from 15.5% in 2024 to 14.9% projected in 2026.
Wimbledon has not yet announced its prize money for this year.
鈥淚 think in the next couple of weeks we know also the prize money we鈥檙e going to have in Wimbledon. We truly hope that it鈥檚 going to be better. Then, of course, U.S. Open,鈥� Sinner said.
Including profit sharing and an end-of-the-year bonus pool, men鈥檚 players actually get about 30% of the share of revenues at ATP Tour events like the Italian Open.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been quiet for a long time and now the time has come to raise our voice,鈥� Sinner added in Italian. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not asking for 50% 鈥� we wouldn鈥檛 even dare 鈥� but right now we鈥檙e getting too little.鈥�
French Open organizers have not responded to requests for comment.
Djokovic not involved but lends support
Novak Djokovic announced in January he was cutting ties with the he co-founded, and that sued the sport鈥檚 governing bodies last year.
And while the 24-time Grand Slam champion said he has not been involved in the current player protest, he said the 鈥減layers know that they鈥檒l always have my support.
鈥淭he new generations are coming up,” Djokovic added. 鈥淚鈥檓 glad that there is willingness from the leaders of our sport, like Sabalenka, to really step up and really understand the dynamics of how the tennis politics works and understand the nuances and really what needs to be done not only for her benefit and well-being, but for everyone.鈥�
One of the big issues affecting tennis governance was that there were seven organizing bodies: The four Grand Slams, ATP, WTA and International Tennis Federation.
鈥淭ennis, as any big global sport, is a big business,鈥� Djokovic said. 鈥淚t needs to be approached from all sides with willingness to work together and figure out what the formula is.鈥�
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