Aryna Sabalenka has become the voice of growing unrest in the tennis world, openly addressing the simmering tensions over prize money distribution at Roland Garros. The recent financial figures have deeply frustrated players, with threats of a boycott looming if changes are not made.
Speaking ahead of the Rome tournament, the world No.1 made her stance clear: “When you see the numbers we generate and what players actually receive… I think we are the ones putting on the show. Without us, there would be no tournament, no entertainment. I believe we deserve a larger percentage of the revenue. What can I say? I just hope our negotiations eventually lead to the right decision, a conclusion that makes everyone happy.”
The issue has been brewing for some time. Players have long argued that Grand Slams keep an excessively high share of earnings. For context, ATP tournaments allocate about 22% of revenue to players, while the four majors—Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open—give only 13% to 15%. This disparity has become a flashpoint.
“I think at some point, maybe we will boycott the Grand Slams, yes. I feel it’s the only way we can fight for our rights—there’s no other option. I’m trying not to overthink it right now because we’re giving our best, doing what we can. We’ll see how far we can go, whether it becomes necessary for players to actually boycott,” Sabalenka said, her frustration evident.
The demands from both the men’s and women’s circuits are multifaceted. First and foremost, they want the Slams to match the revenue-sharing percentages of ATP and WTA events (22%). Additionally, players are calling for coverage of injury insurance, maternity leave, and pensions—benefits currently absent.
Sabalenka may not be alone in this fight. “Today, I think we women can come together, stand united, and push for all this because we’re seeing things that are very unfair to players. At some point, we will get there,” the Belarusian added, visibly upset.
There is speculation that male players may also speak out during the upcoming Media Day on Wednesday. Novak Djokovic, who co-founded the PTPA (Professional Tennis Players Association) with Vasek Pospisil to advocate for player rights, recently stepped away from the organization citing a “lack of transparency.” However, with Djokovic set to return at the Rome Masters 1000 and already in Italy, he could weigh in on the situation.
