Leading Tennis Players Demand Reform Again
A group of top male and female tennis players has sent a second series of letters to the Grand Slam tournaments advocating for significant changes in the sport. This letter was dispatched to all four majors on July 30, but is only now being revealed. It was endorsed by nearly all of the prominent players, including Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Iga Świątek, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner. Novak Djokovic, who was part of the original letter sent on March 21, is the only signatory absent from this recent correspondence.
The initial letter featured the top-10 players from each tour as of March 3, excluding former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, who was replaced by Mirra Andreeva. The latest letter also includes Jack Draper, Lorenzo Musetti, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, and Amanda Anisimova, showcasing their improved rankings by the end of July. Aside from Djokovic, Rybakina, and Félix Auger-Aliassime, who rose in the rankings more recently, the remaining top players all participated, aiming to represent the voices of athletes at every level.
This latest letter, reviewed by The Athletic, emphasizes the players’ calls for reform in three key areas:
- Increased contributions to player welfare, including a benefit fund to enhance pensions, healthcare, and maternity benefits.
- A rise in prize money as a percentage of revenue, increasing from the current estimate of 16% to 22% by 2030, aligning more closely with the revenues seen in leagues like the NFL, MLB, and NBA, where players receive nearly 50%.
- Enhanced player representation through the establishment of a Grand Slam Player Council to partake in decisions like whether to extend tournaments to 15 days, as has been done by the Australian Open and U.S. Open.
Jessica Pegula, ranked seventh in the world and among the signatories, expressed her discontent with the tournament extension, stating, “I don’t know why they had to make it even longer,” citing ticket sales as a primary motive. She highlighted that many players, especially those competing just before a Grand Slam, were not supportive of such changes.
The players’ renewed push for reform comes after hiring former WTA chief executive Larry Scott to lobby for their interests. They have held consultations with Grand Slam representatives at both the French Open and Wimbledon, and described those meetings as constructive. However, the Grand Slams maintained a position favoring a more streamlined calendar and an elite tournament schedule to attract additional fans and sponsors.
The original letter from players coincided with escalating tensions in the sport, particularly following an antitrust lawsuit against the Grand Slams from the Professional Tennis Player Association (PTPA), founded by Djokovic. Although Djokovic did not join the lawsuit as a plaintiff due to concerns over its language, the PTPA continues to pursue changes regarding governance and player representation in the sport.
While the Grand Slams have acknowledged the concerns raised in the players’ letters, a spokesperson reiterated their commitment to open discussions and resolving broader issues within tennis. With the Australian Open’s prize money announcement anticipated later this year, the ongoing dialogue surrounding player compensation and representation is likely to continue capturing attention, both on and off the court.
