Jannik Sinner called on Thursday for the Grand Slams to show players greater respect in the deepening row over prize money and tournament revenue share, with Novak Djokovic pledging his support to the cause from the sidelines.
The world number one’s intervention at the Italian Open follows a coordinated statement issued earlier this week by leading players expressing “deep disappointment” at the French Open’s announcement of a 10 percent increase in its prize pool to €61.7 million. Players argue the headline figure obscures a decline in their share of total tournament revenue, which they say has slipped from 15.5 percent in 2024 to a projected 14.9 percent in 2026.
Letters and demands. Almost all the leading men and women signed two letters last year to the four Grand Slam bosses calling for a higher revenue share, contributions to a player welfare fund covering retirement and maternity provision, and a seat at the table on decisions affecting them. The target set was 22 percent of tournament revenue, in line with the nine combined ATP and WTA 1000-level events.
A year on, Sinner said the players were no closer to an agreement with the organisers of Wimbledon and the French, US and Australian Opens.
“It’s more about respect. Because I think we give much more than what we are getting back. It’s not only for the top players; it’s for all of us players,” Sinner told reporters in Rome. “It’s not nice that after one year we are not even close to the conclusion of what we would like to have.”
The 23-year-old also pointed to the response time elite athletes in other sports might expect. Letters from the leading players, he suggested, ought to produce a meeting within 48 hours rather than a year of silence.
Boycott on the table. Aryna Sabalenka raised the prospect of a Grand Slam boycott on Tuesday, comments that have since drawn agreement from Coco Gauff. Sinner stopped short of committing to such a step but did not rule it out either.
“Of course, we talk about money, but the most important is respect, and we just don’t feel it. I think we players, we are a bit disappointed also with the outcome of Roland Garros,” Sinner said. “So I do understand players talking about a boycott because it’s somewhere we also need to start. Then we see in the future.”
Asked directly whether he would skip a major, the Italian was non-committal. “I cannot predict the future. But at the same time I also believe that somewhere we need to start.”
Djokovic from the sidelines. Djokovic, who returns to action in Rome this week after a shoulder injury kept him out of Miami, Monte Carlo and Madrid, threw his weight behind the players despite cutting ties in January with the Professional Tennis Players Association he co-founded in 2020.
“Players know that they’ll always have my support,” the 24-time Grand Slam champion said. “The new generations are coming up. I’m glad that there is willingness from the leaders of our sport, like Sabalenka, to really step up and really understand the dynamics of how tennis politics works, understand the nuances and really what needs to be done, not only for her benefit and well-being, but for everyone.”
Sinner, on a 23-match winning streak and chasing a record-extending sixth consecutive Masters 1000 title, opens his Rome campaign on Saturday against either Sebastian Ofner or Alex Michelsen.
With Carlos Alcaraz absent due to injury, the four-time major champion is heavy favourite for victory in front of his home fans — a stage on which his demands for respect from the sport’s biggest events are likely to find a sympathetic audience.
