World No. 1 women’s player Aryna Sabalenka says tennis players could boycott Grand Slam tournaments if negotiations over prize money do not lead to a larger share of revenue for players. Speaking around the Italian Open, Sabalenka says that a boycott is something that could happen “at some point,” framing it as a potential way to “fight for our rights.” The comments come after a group of leading players, including top-10 ATP and WTA names, respond to what they describe as collective disappointment with the 2026 French Open prize-money distribution. Multiple outlets report that Sabalenka ties the dispute to arguments that Grand Slams should provide players with a greater portion of their growing earnings. While sources differ slightly in emphasis and wording, they broadly agree that Sabalenka is advocating collective player action and that the French Open prize-money announcement is the immediate trigger for the renewed pressure on the sport’s major governing and tournament bodies. Some reports also note that the discussion involves both men’s and women’s players, reflecting a wider, cross-tour concern about how revenue is shared.
Sabalenka suggests boycott of Grand Slams over prize money dispute
World No. 1 women’s player Aryna Sabalenka says tennis players could boycott Grand Slam tournaments if negotiations over prize money do not lead to a larger share of revenue for players. Speaking arou...
- Aryna Sabalenka says players could boycott Grand Slam tournaments “at some point” over prize money demands.
- The remarks follow what multiple sources describe as top players’ “deep disappointment” with the 2026 French Open prize-money distribution.
- Sabalenka links the dispute to players receiving a larger share of Grand Slam tournament revenue.
- She calls for or suggests collective action by leading players, including players from both ATP and WTA.
- Her comments are made ahead of or around the Italian Open, according to reports.
Wealthy players asking for more money may feel wrong but the big four tournaments are not sharing the revenue fairlyAt some point in the quiet buildup to her opening match at the Italian Open, Aryna Sabalenka decided to attack one of the most contentious subjects in her sport with the same force as her forehand. In her press conference, the subject of the top players’ attempts to attain a greater revenue share from the grand slam tournaments prompted the world No 1 to make a drastic prediction: “I think at some point we will boycott it, yeah,” she said. “I feel like that’s going to be the only way to fight for our rights.”It marked an escalation in a pay dispute that, until this point, had played out in a series of polite letters and public statements. Over a year ago, in March 2025, the players sent their first letter to the grand slam tournaments. Their requests focused on the grand slams offering a greater percentage of their revenues to the players, contributions to player welfare initiatives, such as pension funds, and closer consultation through a grand slam player council. To the frustration of the player group, the grand slams have still not issued substantial responses to the first two requests. Continue reading...
3 months agoNovak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner have thrown their support behind Aryna Sabalenka's suggestion that players could boycott Grand Slams if they don't receive a bigger share of tournament revenues.
3 months agoClaiming that their revenue share has declined, some of the sport’s top athletes are threatening to sit out future Grand Slams.
3 months agoWorld No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has said tennis players may have to consider a boycott if they do not receive a larger share of Grand Slam revenues, with top stars including Coco Gauff...
3 months agoPlayers would boycott the French Open if their prize money at the claycourt Grand Slam is not increased, women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka said on Tuesday, with Coco Gauff also voicing support for the drastic step. The threat deepens a dispute between players and Roland Garros organisers over prize money distribution, even though this […]
3 months agoWomen's tennis stars say players 'deserve to be paid more' prize money at Grand Slams tournaments.
3 months ago
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