World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has threatened to boycott Wimbledon and other Grand Slam tournaments if prize money disputes are not resolved. Speaking at the Italian Open in Rome, the Belarusian tennis star emphasized that a boycott might be the only way to secure fair compensation for players.
Sabalenka Calls for Player Unity
Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, stated, "I feel like that's going to be the only way to kind of, like, fight for our rights. Let's see how far we can get. If it's going to take players for boycott." She added that top players are essential to tournaments and deserve a larger percentage of revenue. "I feel like without us there wouldn't be a tournament and there wouldn't be that entertainment. I feel like definitely we deserve to be paid more percentage," she said.
Prize Money Concerns at French Open
The dispute centers on prize money at this year's French Open, which starts later this month. Despite a 9.5% increase to roughly $97 million, players argue it is insufficient given record revenues. A group including Sabalenka, Jannik Sinner, and Carlos Alcaraz issued a statement: "As Roland Garros looks to post record revenues, players are therefore receiving a declining share of the value they help create." They criticized the Grand Slams for resisting change and failing to consult players.
Support from Other Top Players
Coco Gauff echoed Sabalenka's sentiments, noting that unionization could drive progress. "I definitely think, from the things I've seen with other sports, usually to make massive progress and things like this, it takes a union. Yeah, we have to become unionized in some way," Gauff said. She pointed to the WNBA's achievements as an example.
Sabalenka expressed hope that negotiations would lead to a fair outcome: "I just really hope that all of the negotiation that we are having, we at some point are going to get to the right decision, to the conclusion that everyone will be happy with."
