Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, and other top-ranked players are calling for Grand Slam organizers to address several key issues regarding revenue sharing, player welfare, and consultation.
This comes after leading men’s and women’s tennis players sent a letter to the organizers of all four Grand Slams requesting an increase in their revenue-sharing percentage, as well as a higher contribution to tour-funded pension programs.
In an interview with AFP in Riyadh, Iga Swiatek expressed her thoughts on the situation:
“For sure, it would be great if the Grand Slams wanted to talk to us, because that’s how it’s supposed to be, and I don’t really get why there’s no more open conversation. It’s not only about prize money, but also about the pension, the health plan, and just having smoother cooperation and communication in the future. So I think for sure it’s a setback and for sure the players are not happy with it.”
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka also shared her feelings regarding the stalled negotiations. She said,
“I think it’s the time right now to sit at a table and come to a conclusion that everyone will be happy with.”
Jessica Pegula highlighted the broader benefits of their demands, saying,
“We’re just trying to be a united voice. I think it’s the first time we’ve actually been able to come together with both tours. And so that’s a testament to just everybody being really open-minded and wanting to come together on making our sport better and better for the players.”
Regarding the stalled negotiations, Pegula added,
“That’s kind of our problem. So I think we’ll just keep using our voices to speak out and see if we can come to the table with them. I think the ball is a little bit in their court right now.”
American tennis star Madison Keys described the stalled negotiations as “frustrating,” stating,
“I feel like we’re doing it in a very above-board, mature way. So I hope that the Grand Slams continue to have the conversations and are willing to move forward in a positive light.”
### Aryna Sabalenka and PTPA Seek to Reopen Stalled Negotiations
The initial meeting between Grand Slam organizers and players took place in May after Roland Garros in Paris. Leading the discussions from the players’ side were Aryna Sabalenka, Jannik Sinner, Casper Ruud, Coco Gauff, Alex de Minaur, and Madison Keys.
The next meeting was held at Wimbledon. Former WTA chief Larry Scott is leading the players’ discussions on this front.
However, negotiations stalled during the summer. The Grand Slam majors have stated that discussions will only resume once other issues are resolved.
In the meantime, the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) filed a lawsuit pushing for significant changes to the sport’s revenue-sharing structure. On July 30, another letter was sent on behalf of the players urging all parties to find a solution without further delay.
As of September, only the All England Club and the US Tennis Association among the four majors have engaged in talks with players’ representatives.
### Players Propose Establishment of a Grand Slam Player Council
The players are requesting the creation of a Grand Slam Player Council, which would be consulted by all four majors on matters concerning prize money, schedules, rules, and policies.
Currently, players receive approximately 13 to 15 percent of Grand Slam revenue in the form of prize money. The players are pushing for this share to be increased to 22%.
It remains to be seen whether a compromise can be reached soon between the players and the Grand Slam organizers.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-i-get-open-conversation-iga-swiatek-jessica-pegula-others-hit-back-slams-frustrating-stalled-negotiations
