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<\/p>\nOne of their demands is for players\u2019 revenue share at grand slams to increase from about 16 per cent to 22 by 2030, which they believe is in line with what the ATP and WTA tours offer at their combined Masters 1000 events.<\/p>\n
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That request still pales in comparison with major American sports leagues, such as the NFL and NBA, where players\u2019 revenue share is closer to 50 per cent.<\/p>\n
There was an initial meeting on tournament eve at Roland-Garros last year between grand slam CEOs and select players, including Gauff, Sinner, Sabalenka and Casper Ruud.<\/p>\n
\u201cI imagine that there will be more meetings,\u201d Gauff said. \u201cBut no one wants this conversation to be continuing for years and years, so I would imagine that we would continue to have those conversations and maybe more pressure being applied, especially with the top 10.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Australian Open boss Craig Tiley.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Slam bosses are keen to meet again at one of the Masters 1000 events early in the season, a source said, but this is likely to occur only if formal offers are made on the players\u2019 demands.<\/p>\n
The Australian Open\u2019s $111.5 million prize pool is a 16 per cent increase on last year\u2019s offering, including the men\u2019s and women\u2019s singles champions scoring a $4.15 million payday each, which is 19 per cent up.<\/p>\n
Tennis Australia\u2019s revenue for the last financial year, ending September 30, was a record-setting $697.2 million, which is largely driven by the Australian Open.<\/p>\n
Tournament boss Craig Tiley said at the time of the announcement that the prizemoney boost demonstrated his organisation\u2019s \u201ccommitment to supporting tennis careers at every level\u201d.<\/p>\n
In a statement to this masthead, Tiley said: \u201cAll the players we have spoken to are extremely appreciative and thankful for the effort we have put into servicing their needs, including the positive commentary they have made about our ongoing prizemoney increases.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tiley also said the Open\u2019s prizemoney this year was more than 21 per cent of tournament revenue and outstripped Tennis Australia\u2019s annual revenue growth.<\/p>\n
The Scott-led campaign is separate from the Professional Tennis Players Association lawsuit against the sport\u2019s stakeholders. Tennis Australia is the first of those stakeholders to be actively trying to reach a deal with the PTPA, which could occur as soon as this month, a source said.<\/p>\n
Sabalenka, a two-time winner at Melbourne Park, said on Friday: \u201cI think we always can do better. But I think all the slams are trying to work together with us and come to a conclusion. I hope one day we\u2019ll get to a happy place for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
A key plank of the players\u2019 demands is for the grand slams to contribute to a welfare fund for pension, healthcare and maternity benefits.<\/p>\n
\u201cI completely see the player side of wanting the slams to kind of step up and support player welfare,\u201d Australian Open defending champion Keys said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really important. We give a lot of ourselves to this sport. They, being the highest revenue-holders, I think it absolutely makes sense. As we are the product, it makes sense for us to be partners.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that it has been the most productive conversations that we\u2019ve ever had, which leads me to be cautiously optimistic for the future. But I think it\u2019s in everyone\u2019s best interest to continue to be really good partners to each other. We all need each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
Follow our live Australian Open blog each day from January 18 for results, news, analysis and interviews.<\/p>\n