Jannik Sinner has publicly called out the four Grand Slam tournaments after they refused to discuss players’ requests for greater prize money and welfare benefits, including pensions and healthcare. The world No. 2 was among a group of top players who sent two letters to organisers of the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open, asking for a greater share of revenue, plus contributions to the benefits schemes.
The four-time Major champion revealed that players held talks with the Slams at the French Open and Wimbledon this year, and later sent proposals on how they could progress. But the tournaments will not “act until other issues are resolved.”
The Italian tennis star told the Guardian: “We had good conversations with the Grand Slams at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, so it was disappointing when they said they cannot act on our proposals until other issues are resolved.
“Calendar and scheduling are important topics, but there is nothing stopping the slams from addressing player welfare benefits like pensions and healthcare right now.
“The Grand Slams are the biggest events and generate most of the revenue in tennis, so we are asking for a fair contribution to support all players, and for prize money that better reflects what these tournaments earn. We want to work together with the Slams to find solutions that are good for everyone in tennis.”
A group of top-10 players from the ATP and WTA Tours initially sent a letter to the Grand Slam tournaments back in March, asking for more prize money and pointing to the vast revenues the four events generate.
They also expressed their desire for the four Majors to contribute towards pension, health and maternity benefits, as the two tours already pay millions into the schemes each year.
Players also weren’t happy that they were not consulted on big changes at the tournaments, including the decision to start the Australian Open and US Open on a Sunday, extending the schedule. They now want to have a greater say through a new player council.
According to the Guardian, Sinner was involved in talks between the Grand Slams ahead of the French Open in May. Casper Ruud, Alex de Minaur, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Madison Keys also represented the players.
There were more talks at Wimbledon in July, with Alexander Zverev and Belinda Bencic involved. The players later sent detailed proposals to the four Slams about revised money. When these were not properly addressed, a second letter was sent to the tournaments in September, reiterating the players’ wishes.
The Grand Slam tournaments have argued that they cannot properly address the players’ requests until a separate lawsuit, which was brought by the Professional Tennis Players Association, has been resolved.
The PTPA, which was co-founded by Novak Djokovic and Vasel Pospisil in 2020, took legal action against tennis’ governing bodies in the US, UK and EU, accusing them of “systemic abuse and corruption”. Djokovic’s name was not included in the papers.
The 24-time Major winner also signed the initial letter sent to the four Grand Slam tournaments in March, but his name did not appear on the second letter sent over the summer.