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World number one Aryna Sabalenka has warned that players may boycott Grand Slam tournaments if demands for a greater share of prize money are not met, intensifying an ongoing debate over revenue distribution in professional tennis.
Speaking at the Italian Open on Tuesday, Sabalenka made it clear that players are increasingly frustrated with what they view as an imbalance between tournament earnings and player compensation.
“I feel like the show is on us. Without us there wouldn’t be a tournament and there wouldn’t be that entertainment,” she said, stressing that athletes are central to the sport’s commercial success. She added that players “definitely deserve to be paid more percentage” of tournament revenues.
The four-time Grand Slam winner went further, suggesting that collective action may be inevitable.
“I think at some point we will boycott. I feel like that’s going to be the only way to fight for our rights,” Sabalenka said, noting that female players in particular could unite around the issue. According to her, the current structure is “really unfair to the players,” and pressure may need to escalate to force meaningful change.
The tension stems from longstanding concerns about how revenue is shared across tennis’ biggest events, including the French Open, Wimbledon Championships, and the US Open.
Last year, leading players collectively signed letters to Grand Slam organisers demanding reforms. These included an increase in prize money, contributions to a player welfare fund covering retirement and maternity benefits, and a greater voice in decision-making processes.
Central to those demands is a proposed 22 per cent share of tournament revenues for players, aligning Grand Slam payouts with the structure used in top-tier ATP and WTA 1000 events. However, recent developments suggest that the gap remains significant. Players criticised a 9.5 per cent increase in prize money announced by the French Open, arguing it falls short of expectations.
Financial data underscores the concern. Roland Garros generated approximately €395 million last year, marking a 14 per cent rise, yet the total prize pool increased by just 5.4 per cent. This effectively reduced the players’ share to around 14.3 per cent. Projections for this year indicate revenues could exceed €400 million, while the player share is still expected to remain below 15 per cent.
Not all players support the idea of a boycott. Poland’s Iga Swiatek, a multiple Grand Slam champion, described such action as excessive.
“I think the most important thing, honestly, is to have proper communication and discussions with the governing bodies,” she said, advocating negotiation over confrontation. Swiatek expressed hope that talks ahead of Roland Garros could provide a pathway to resolution.
