As first reported by French newspaper L'Equipe, the players sent a letter to the organizers of the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open, requesting a meeting to discuss a larger share of the income generated by these major events.
World number 11 Emma Navarro, one of the signatories, pointed to "unfair pay ratios" as a key reason for supporting the initiative. The 23-year-old American explained that after speaking with other players, she felt signing the letter was the right decision. She emphasized the importance of players uniting to ensure fair treatment.
Over the past decade, prize money at Wimbledon has doubled, reaching £50 million in 2023. First-round losers saw their earnings rise from £27,000 in 2014 to £60,000 last year. However, players argue that the financial growth of the Grand Slams has outpaced these increases, and they believe they deserve a more substantial return from the vast revenues these tournaments generate.
For instance, in the financial year leading up to July 2023, the All England Club (AELTC) recorded a turnover of £380 million. After deducting operational costs, the Championships' profit stood at just under £54 million. Nearly £49 million of that sum was allocated to the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), as part of an agreement requiring the AELTC to contribute 90% of its annual surplus to the governing body until 2053.
These operational costs include prize money, staffing over 8,000 seasonal workers, maintaining and developing the tournament venue, and supporting other grass-court events.
Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, ranked eighth in the world, stressed that increasing prize money would particularly benefit lower-ranked players, many of whom struggle financially outside the Grand Slam season. She noted that for these players, Grand Slam earnings are crucial for sustaining their careers.
Zheng expressed hope that their efforts would bring positive change, saying, "We try to do what we can, and then let's see what the gods bring to us. But at least we're trying."
With the top players now pushing for reforms, the discussion around prize money and revenue sharing at the Grand Slam tournaments is set to gain momentum.
