Tennis slams' refusal to discuss money is slap in face for players who are right to threaten boycott | Tumaini Carayol

"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."

"Over a year ago, in March 2025, the players sent their first letter to the grand slam tournaments. Their requests focused on the grand slams offering a greater percentage of their revenues to the players, contributions to player welfare initiatives, such as pension funds, and closer consultation through a grand slam player council."

"To the frustration of the player group, the grand slams have still not issued substantial responses to the first two requests. Sabalenka's comments on Tuesday were initially the source of ample scepticism. For much of the past year, after all, she had shown little interest in tackling this topic publicly."

"At the Miami Open in March, for example, Carlos Alcaraz plainly declared himself uninterested: It's something that is going on but for me I prefer to be focused on other things, he said."

Sabalenka made a forceful prediction that players may boycott grand slam tournaments to fight for their rights. The pay dispute began with a first letter sent in March 2025 seeking a higher percentage of grand slam revenues for players, funding for player welfare initiatives such as pension funds, and closer consultation through a grand slam player council. Grand slams have not provided substantial responses to the first two requests, increasing frustration among players. Sabalenka’s stance marked a sharp shift from earlier reluctance to address the issue publicly. Other top players showed limited engagement, including declining to comment or preferring to focus on other matters, despite some prior support.

Read at www.theguardian.com