Aryna Sabalenka has warned that top tennis players may boycott grand slam tournaments if their demands for a greater share of revenue are not met. Speaking at the Italian Open, the world number one said: 'I think at some point we will boycott it, yeah. I feel like that’s going to be the only way to fight for our rights.'
The dispute began over a year ago when players sent a letter to the four grand slam tournaments requesting a larger percentage of revenues, contributions to pension funds, and a formal player council. The tournaments have yet to provide substantial responses to these requests, leading to growing frustration among players.
While some top players, including Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, had previously shown little interest in the issue, this week they presented a united front. Coco Gauff emphasised the responsibility of top players to advocate for lower-ranked colleagues, while Sinner accused the slams of lacking 'respect' by ignoring their concerns.
Despite the tough talk, a boycott remains unlikely as players are reluctant to sacrifice their personal ambitions and substantial earnings. Sabalenka is set to become only the second female athlete to earn $50m in prize money, after Serena Williams. However, the players argue that the 13-15% revenue share they receive is too low, and the slams' refusal to negotiate is a 'slap in the face'.
