Sinner and other big players demand more money from the Grand Slam

According to Fritz and Shelton, there is a big gap in the current prize distribution system at Grand Slam tournaments, when the players - those who directly create attraction and revenue for the tournament - only receive about 13 to 15% of total revenue, while at other ATP and WTA tournaments, this number usually reaches 20 to 22%.

"We don't ask for anything beyond their ability, " Fritz said when attended the Paris Masters last week. "What we want is fairness. The Grand Slam tournaments are making huge profits from the efforts and images of the players, but the rewards for us do not reflect that value. "

Fritz's opinion is supported by Sinner. The Italian tennis player was among the top 10 people who sent proposals to the Grand Slam tournaments in August 2025, outlining a series of reforms after meetings at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Sinner and top names like Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are not satisfied with the response from these two Grand Slams. They then requested another meeting at the US Open but were denied.

The Independent newspaper cited data from Wimbledon 2024 showing that the tournament's total prize money is about 65 million USD, while revenue reached an impressive level of 535 million USD - meaning the players only received less than 12.5% of the value earned by the tournament. All four Grand Slams increase their prize funds every year, with Wimbledon doubling in 10 years, but the number is still modest compared to its huge revenue.

Fritz and Shelton say that most of the remaining profits are retained for organizers, television partners and other commercial activities, while lower-ranked players – those who have to pay for their own airfare, coaching and competition expenses – struggle to maintain competition. career.

"Not everyone is Novak Djokovic or Carlos Alcaraz ", said Shelton. "Many players outside the top 100 have to choose between investing in the new season or paying rent. Tennis needs a more equitable sharing system to nurture talent, not just honor those who are already at the top."

The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), in which Fritz and Shelton are active voices, has repeatedly sent petitions to the Grand Slam organizers. However, according to them, the response they received was only silence.

PTPA, the organization co-founded by Novak Djokovic in 2020, affirming that their request is not to "increase money for the rich", but to create a reasonable bonus structure, helping low-income tennis players still be able to make a living from their profession. The organization also proposed adding long-term welfare policies such as pensions, injury insurance and childbirth support for female tennis players - something many other sports have long applied.

"I just want to point out the truth: the level of division between female players. Management units and organizations in popular sports tournaments in the US such as NFL, NBA, NHL, is 50%. It can fluctuate more or less, but around 50%", Djokovic expressed his opinion at a press conference after the match at the Brisbane International tournament earlier this year. "The ratio of tennis is much lower than that ".

Grand Slam tournaments have long been considered a symbol of power and tradition in the tennis industry, with a huge audience, sponsorship and television rights. However, as revenue continues to increase, the pressure for transparency in the distribution of benefits is also great. gradually.

"We love Wimbledon, we love Roland Garros, but love doesn't pay the bills ", Fritz said bluntly. "If the tournaments don't change, tennis will move further and further away from the people who make up its soul, the players ".

The debate about "financial fairness in tennis " certainly hasn't stopped. As the voices of the younger generation like Fritz and Shelton grow louder and louder, the world of tennis may soon have to face the question: Who really benefits from the first serves on center court?

If that question remains unanswered, an antitrust lawsuit from the PTPA could happen.. This organization has hired a group of antitrust lawyers to evaluate the current state of tennis, including the Grand Slam. The idea of ​​replacing the four powerful tournaments also appeared, in the context of emerging powers like Saudi Arabia ready to gather the best tennis players in one place to organize a "super Grand Slam" that they have been cherishing for many years.