Some of this year’s biggest tennis tournaments could be missing the sport’s biggest stars.
On Tuesday, the No. 1 ranked women’s tennis star in the world, Aryna Sabalenka, said that she could boycott Wimbledon and the other Grand Slam tournaments amid a dispute over prize money.
Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, commented on a potential boycott by some of tennis’ top stars while speaking ahead of the Italian Open in Rome.
“I feel like that’s going to be the only way to kind of, like, fight for our rights,” Sabalenka said. “Let’s see how far we can get. If it’s going to take players for boycott.
“I feel like nowadays, we girls can easily get together and go for this because some of the things I feel like it’s really unfair to the players.
“I think at some point it’s going to get to this.”
Sabalenka added that tournaments need the top players and the “entertainment” they provide.
“I feel like without us there wouldn’t be a tournament and there wouldn’t be that entertainment. I feel like definitely we deserve to be paid more percentage,” she said.
“I just really hope that all of the negotiation that we are having, we at some point are going to get to the right decision, to the conclusion that everyone will be happy with.”
What is the big concern with prize money?
The Belarussian is among a group including several top-20 stars on both the men’s and women’s tours that have criticized the amount of prize money available at this year’s French Open, which is set to start later this month.
Last month, the French Open confirmed a 9.5% increase in prize money to a total of roughly $97 million.
However, that’s not enough given the record revenue numbers posted by the Slams, according to a statement made by the group which includes the likes of Sabalenka, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
“As Roland Garros looks to post record revenues, players are therefore receiving a declining share of the value they help create,” the statement reads.
“While other major international sports are modernizing governance, aligning stakeholders, and building long-term value, the Grand Slams remain resistant to change.
“The absence of player consultation and the continued lack of investment in player welfare reflect a system that does not adequately represent the interests of those who are central to the sport’s success.”
What have other tennis stars said?
American star Coco Gauff also commented from Rome on a potential boycott, saying that she agrees with Sabalaneka’s sentiment.
“Yeah, honestly, I kind of agree with that, just taking what the WNBA kind of accomplished. They also have a union, so I think that helps,” Gauff said from Rome.
“I definitely think, from the things I’ve seen with other sports, usually to make massive progress and things like this, it takes a union. Yeah, we have to become unionized in some way.
“I definitely agree with her on that standpoint. I think a few other players agree too.”