Wimbledon tennis stars cancel protest over prize money
Players say tournament’s chiefs have committed to ‘return with specific proposals’ in response to their concerns
Tennis stars have called off a planned protest at Wimbledon after “constructive” talks with organisers over the players’ campaign for a bigger share of the revenues generated by the championships.
The decision not to limit their media commitments at the tournament to 15 minutes during the first week came following meetings with the All England Lawn Tennis Club over the weekend, the players’ representatives said in a statement on Monday.
The players said Wimbledon leaders had committed to “return with specific proposals” in response to their concerns.
“The underlying matters remain unresolved and players will carefully evaluate the proposals once received,” the players’ representatives said. “Constructive dialogue with Wimbledon and the other Grand Slams will continue.”
Ahead of this year’s tournament, the club increased prize funds by 20 per cent year on year to £64.2mn. Players welcomed the rise but have called for a greater share of revenues generated by Wimbledon.
A key element of the tennis players’ argument is that top athletes in other sports, such as football, typically earn a bigger share of revenues. They are also calling for the other Grand Slams — in Australia, France and the US — to increase prize money.
However, Wimbledon officials argue that revenues are not the right metric because they do not take into account the costs of staging the championships.
In a press conference on Saturday, men’s number one Jannik Sinner said progress was being made “even though we are not at the point where we are 100 per cent happy”. The Italian stressed that players’ discontent was “not only about the money” but welfare too.
Sinner begins the defence of his Wimbledon title on centre court on Monday against Miomir Kecmanović. Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, the man Sinner defeated in last year’s final, is absent because of an injured right wrist.
Alcaraz, a two-time Wimbledon champion, was also unable to compete at Roland-Garros, the French major he won last year. His absence is a blow to Wimbledon and its broadcasters, which include the BBC and ESPN in the US, because of his intense on-court rivalry with Sinner.
The duo are vital to the sport’s commercial fortunes. While 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic is still active on the tour, the “Big Three” era ended with Rafael Nadal’s retirement in 2024, two years after Swiss great Roger Federer quit.
In another blow, Britain’s Emma Raducanu withdrew on Sunday due to a stress fracture in her lower right leg. The 2021 US Open winner is the highest-ranked British player on the women’s tour.
But in a boost to organisers, US superstar Serena Williams has announced a comeback at the age of 44. The seven-time Wimbledon winner is up against Australia’s Maya Joint in the first round on Tuesday as she looks to add to her 23 Grand Slam singles titles.
Wimbledon is competing for attention in a busy summer of sport. The England men’s team is competing at the football World Cup, with the knockout rounds under way.
England is also competing in the Women’s T20 World Cup, with a semi-final against South Africa scheduled for Thursday ahead of a potential final on Sunday.
Meanwhile, British Formula 1 racing drivers including George Russell of Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari, and Lando Norris of McLaren are preparing for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone this Sunday.
The AELTC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.