Grand slam prizemoney could hit $500 million in new push by players

Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz are among a group of top-10 tennis players who have sent a second letter to the four grand slam tournaments asking for more money, more control and greater contributions to pension, health and maternity benefits.

The players are asking for their share of prizemoney at grand slams to increase from 16 to 22 per cent of tournament revenue by 2030, which would see the Australian Open prize pool exceed $100 million and the US Open surpass $150 million.

Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner are among the top players who have written to grand slam organisers.Credit: Getty Images

The combined prize pool across the four slams in 2025 was $440 million. That number could exceed $500 million by 2030 if tournament organisers continue incremental rises each year and agree to what players are asking for.

The letter, which was signed by other top players such as Iga Swiatek, Jack Draper, Amanda Anisimova, Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton, is the second of its kind, with Novak Djokovic the sole signatory on an original letter sent to the grand slam tournaments in March.

The second letter, which was seen this week by The Associated Press and dated July 30, set out specific benchmarks for ways in which the sport’s four most prestigious and profitable tournaments could offer more money and influence to athletes.

The players are working with Larry Scott, a former chairman and chief executive of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), as a consultant.

Carlos Alcaraz celebrates his 2025 French Open title with ball girls and boys.Credit: AP

There have been meetings involving Scott, some players and the leaders of the All England Club, which runs Wimbledon; the French Tennis Federation (FFT), which runs Roland-Garros; Tennis Australia (TA), which runs the Australian Open; and the US Tennis Association (USTA), which runs the US Open.

All four tournaments were asked to reply to the July 30 letter, and all four did.

The USTA’s response, dated August 18 and obtained this week by the AP, was signed by Brian Vahaly, the group’s interim co-chief executive, and Stacey Allaster, the USTA’s chief executive of professional tennis, who just completed her last US Open as tournament director.

“As you are aware, we have always been willing to increase compensation for players – as evidenced by the 57 per cent growth of the US Open purse over the past five years – particularly when additional collaboration on the part of the players helps to create additional revenue,” Vahaly and Allaster wrote.

“For example, this year’s significant increase in compensation to $US90 million [$136.6 million] reflects the addition of an extra day to the main draw singles competition and the resulting contribution made by players.”

US Open singles champions Sabalenka and Alcaraz each received a record $7.5 million this month for their victories.

Vahaly and Allaster also wrote that they wanted “to reiterate our commitment to engaging in direct, honest and transparent discussions with the players to build a stronger future for the entire tennis ecosystem – including a healthier calendar, enhanced player consultation, and greater financial value for all involved.”

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The March letter from players to the four slam hosts came not long after the players’ association co-founded by Novak Djokovic – the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) – filed an antitrust lawsuit against the women’s and men’s professional tours in federal court in New York. Djokovic was not listed as one of the plaintiffs.

That antitrust filing seeks more money for players, saying too little of the revenues end up in the athletes’ hands, and lays out a series of other complaints about the way the sport is run. In May, the WTA and ATP tours jointly filed a motion to dismiss the case against them.

The original case did not list the four grand slam tournament organisers as defendants, but they have been added, the PTPA announced this week.

“This is a necessary next step to guarantee accountability from all parties,” the PTPA said, “and accelerate long-overdue reform across the entire tennis ecosystem.”

Tennis Australia was contacted for comment.

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