Novak Djokovic breaks silence as top players demand more prize money in letter to Grand Slams
Novak Djokovic has spoken about the letter that he and other top tennis stars sent to the four Grand Slams demanding an increase in prize money.
As reported by L’Equipe last week, several prominent top 20 players on both the ATP and WTA tours “co-signed and sent a letter to the four Grand Slam tournaments, demanding a substantial increase in their prize money”.
“In essence, this letter calls for a greater distribution of profits generated by the four pillars of the tour to benefit the main stakeholders: the players, without whom the show would not take place,” the report explained.
Along with Djokovic, ATP stars who signed the letter include Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud, Jack Draper, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alex de Minaur and Daniil Medvedev.
On the WTA side, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Jasmine Paolini, Mirra Andreeva, Zheng Qinwen, Paula Badosa and Emma Navarro all signed, with Elena Rybakina the only current top 10 player missing.
The letter was reportedly given the green light by the ATP and WTA Players’ Boards.
Ahead of his appearance at the Monte Carlo Masters, Djokovic explained the prize money reasoning for the ATP players signing the letter and also highlighted the need to be “part of the conversation.”
“I think generally the sentiment is that the players feel that we should get it, when it comes to prize money at the Grand Slams, as close to the percentage of the prize money that we are getting on the [ATP] Tour on average,” the world No 5 told reporters.
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“That’s something that I think would be fair because logically and rationally thinking about it, that’s probably the best case scenario. But that’s not going to happen overnight, if it happens, so it’s a long term play.
“Hopefully the Grand Slams will respond positively and want to have the players in the room and sit down and talk about the revenue shares, about not just that, but also I think players feel that they need to have counsel with Grand Slam committees and management when they are making some big changes or decisions.
“It’s important because it affects us. [On] rule changes or whatever it is, I think we need to be advised. We need to be part of the conversation, have our representatives.”
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