A group of top ranked ATP and WTA players has now sent a second letter to the four Grand Slam tournaments – the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open – demanding a larger share of the sports revenues and more benefits.
The letter, dated July 30, was signed by a number of the biggest names on tour, including reigning US Open champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka, as well as Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Jannik Sinner and Jack Draper. However, one notable absence from the list of signatories was Novak Djokovic, a co-founder of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), who had signed the players first letter sent in March.
The players demands are clear and specific:
- An increase in the players share of Grand Slam revenues from the current 16% to 22% by 2030.
- An annual contribution of $12 million by the same year to a fund dedicated to player pension, health and maternity benefits.
- The establishment of a new player council to give athletes a greater say in the governance of the sport.
To aid in their negotiations, the players are being advised by Larry Scott, the former chairman and CEO of the WTA. Scott has a history of successful advocacy for player compensation, having played a key role in achieving equal prize money for men and women at all four Grand Slams previously.
The Grand Slams have responded to the letter, with the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) confirming their commitment to increasing player compensation. In their reply, the USTA noted a 57% growth in the US Open prize money purse over the last five years, reaching a record $90 million this year. They attributed part of this increase to the players “contribution” from the addition of an extra day to the main draw singles competition.
This latest push for a greater share of revenue and influence comes amid a larger power struggle within the sport. It runs parallel to an ongoing antitrust lawsuit filed by the PTPA against the ATP and WTA tours. The PTPA recently expanded its legal action to include the four Grand Slam tournaments as defendants, stating that this “is a necessary next step to guarantee accountability from all parties and accelerate long-overdue reform across the entire tennis ecosystem.”
