Sabalenka Predicts Tennis Players Will Boycott Grand Slams Over Revenue Share

Aryna Sabalenka took on one of tennis's biggest disputes during a press conference before her opening match at the Italian Open. The world No. 1 predicted that top players would boycott grand slam tournaments to demand a bigger revenue share. "I think at some point we will boycott it, yeah," she said. "I feel like that's going to be the only way to fight for our rights."

Her remarks sharpened a pay fight that had so far involved only letters and statements. In March 2025, players sent their first letter to the grand slams. They asked for a higher percentage of revenues, funds for player welfare like pensions, and a grand slam player council for consultation. The slams have not given serious replies to the first two demands.

Sabalenka's words on Tuesday drew skepticism at first. She had avoided the topic publicly for much of the past year. At the Australian Open in January, she dodged a question on the player effort. She looked at her agent and said, "Well, I mean, can I pass?"

Other top players had shown little interest too. Carlos Alcaraz said at the Miami Open in March that he preferred to focus on other things. "It's something that is going on but for me I prefer to be focused on other things," he said. Jannik Sinner, who had backed the cause before, refused to answer in Miami if he felt optimistic about the goals. "I don't want to comment," he said.

This week, though, leading men and women spoke out together. Coco Gauff said the top players' voices could best help lower-ranked ones. Iga Swiatek voiced frustration with the slams' revenue share. Sinner gave his strongest statement yet, saying the slams showed no respect by ignoring the concerns.

A boycott still looks unlikely. Top players earn big prize money at majors and chase personal targets. Sabalenka will soon become the second woman after Serena Williams to reach $50 million in career earnings. They train daily for these events and have little reason to skip them.

As millionaires seeking more pay, they draw little sympathy. Critics point to their wealth from slam prize money and exposure. Still, the slams hold far more money. Roland Garros's latest prize money news ignored player requests. It claimed a 45 percent rise since 2019, but inflation-adjusted that is just 14 percent.

Players get 13 to 15 percent of slam revenues, a low figure. The slams' silence amounts to another insult. Wimbledon’s prize money announcement is next. From the slams' side, the events outshine the players due to history and branding. They put most money back into tennis, like 90 percent of Wimbledon's £48.1 million surplus last year to the Lawn Tennis Association.

Players dismiss that. They remain the events' focus. Upgrades at venues help the tournaments more. Stars from places like Belarus or Bulgaria get scant federation aid and see little value in slams funding rich nations' bodies.

For over a year, slams have brushed off the demands. Players have sought higher pay forever. Slams might test the threats, but they could instead talk as partners and seek compromise.