A group of the top 20 men’s and women’s tennis players has written to the four Grand Slam tournaments, urging them to increase prize money. 

The players have requested a meeting to discuss a more equitable share of the substantial revenue generated by the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.

The letter, first reported by French newspaper L'Equipe, includes a call for a review of the prize distribution. 

World No. 11 Emma Navarro, one of the signatories, cited "unfair pay ratios" as a reason for supporting the letter. 

Navarro, 23, explained, "I spoke with other players, and it felt like a good idea to stand together for fair treatment."

Last year, Wimbledon’s total prize pool reached £50 million, double the amount from 2014. Over the decade, first-round losers saw their prize money rise from £27,000 to £60,000. 

However, many players argue that, given the vast revenues generated by the Grand Slams, they deserve a larger share.

In the year leading up to July 2023, the All England Club (AELTC) reported £380 million in turnover, with a net operating profit of just under £54 million after expenses. 

However, nearly £49 million of that profit went to the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), as the AELTC has committed to giving 90% of its surplus to the governing body until 2053.

Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen emphasized that raising prize money would benefit lower-ranked players, who often struggle financially during the off-season. 

"It would help all players, especially those who work hard and need to make a living from the Grand Slams," said the Chinese world No. 8.

This push for higher compensation comes shortly after the Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA), co-founded by Novak Djokovic, initiated legal action against tennis’ governing bodies for "anti-competitive practices and player exploitation."

Source: BBC 

BDST: 1240 HRS, APR 05, 2025
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