Alex de Minaur will reportedly join some of the top tennis players in the world in staging a protest during the French Open media day over grand slam prize money. Some of the biggest names in world tennis, including No.1’s Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner, will limit the time they give to the media at Roland Garros to just 15 minutes.
It represents the 15 per cent revenue share figure that players are given via prize money at the grand slams, which they believe should be more like the 22 per cent figure they get at most of the ATP and WTA 1000 events. The total prize money pool for this year’s French Open is $101 million, which has increased by nearly 10 per cent.
Alex de Minaur, Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner will all protest at the French Open media day. Image: Getty
But if the players had their way it’d be more like $148 million, meaning in their minds there’s $47 million missing. In America, NBA, NFL and MLB players all receive about 50 per cent of total league revenue.
The issue in tennis first reared its head at the Australian Open in January, where de Minaur said: “What we’re fighting for is to better our sport and ultimately for the players to be better compensated. When you look at the percentages and the differences between other sports, then of course there is room to grow.
“I think that’s what we’re trying to get to ultimately, to a point where we’re all helping each other grow this beautiful sport. We have seen it grow over the years immensely. Ultimately, I think it’s going to be for the best for both the players and the tours and everyone in this sport if we all sit down in a room and we kind of find ways to keep on improving and we keep the communication going.”
Alex de Minaur in action at the Hamburg Open.
(BSR Agency via Getty Images)Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka speak out
Sinner said at the Italian Open earlier this month: “It’s more about respect. Because I think we give much more than what we get back. It’s not only for the top players, it’s for all of us players. We talk about money, but the most important thing is respect, and we just don’t feel it.”
Players are reportedly unhappy about a lack of progress after sending two letters to the grand slam tournaments last year. “When you see the (gross revenue) number and you see the amount the players (are) receiving – I feel like the show is on us,” Sabalenka said.
“I feel like without us there wouldn’t be a tournament and there wouldn’t be that entertainment. I feel like definitely we deserve to be paid more (of a) percentage.”