Tennis Stars Revolt Against Grand Slam Organizers
The issue of prize money distribution in tennis has resurfaced, with top male and female players formally demanding a larger share of Grand Slam revenues.
According to multiple reports, the world’s top 20 male and female players have sent a letter to the organizers of the US Open, Australian Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon, pushing for a fairer financial share. Despite prize money increases in recent years, players argue that their earnings still lag behind other major sports, particularly the NBA.
Last year, Wimbledon singles champions each received £2.7 million, with the tournament’s total prize pool reaching £50 million—double what was awarded in 2014. However, with revenues soaring, players believe the financial gap remains unfair.
A source from the French Tennis Federation confirmed receipt of the letter, stating, “We responded with a proposal to hold a direct, open, and constructive meeting—either at the Madrid Open (April 22 to May 4), at Roland Garros (May 25 to June 8), or at another suitable time.”
American player Emma Navarro, ranked 11th in the world, defended signing the letter, saying, “I spoke briefly with other players about this issue, and I felt signing was the right decision. There has been an unfair wage distribution in the past—I’m not sure of the exact terminology, but I think it’s important that we, as female players, stand together for fair treatment.”
This move follows legal action taken by the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) two weeks ago. The organization, co-founded by Novak Djokovic, filed lawsuits in the US, Europe, and the UK against the ATP, WTA, ITF, and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), citing “systemic violations, anti-competitive practices, and blatant disregard for player welfare.”
Former world No. 2 Casper Ruud echoed these concerns, arguing that Grand Slam prize money accounts for “an average of just 15% of the tournaments’ total revenues.”
“As a player, I don’t feel this is fair,” Ruud, now ranked sixth, stated. “If you compare it to major sports worldwide, revenue-sharing percentages are much closer to 50%.”
For Ruud, a fair distribution between Grand Slam organizers and players should be “50-50.”
The Norwegian, who has earned over $23 million since turning professional nearly a decade ago, added, “I consider myself very fortunate financially, but for players who exit in the qualifiers, first round, or second round—those who don’t make millions annually—receiving a few hundred thousand extra would make a huge difference.”
While tennis stars rally for fairer prize money, fans in Kuwait already know where the real wins happen—Betway brings the thrill courtside with the best odds and offers in town. If the Grand Slams shared profits like Betway shares rewards, players would be a lot happier.
