A collection of players on the professional tennis circuit are set to stage media protests at Wimbledon.
Throughout the first week of Wimbledon, players will talk to media for only 15 minutes during their press conferences.
The protest is taking place in response to the prize money on offer at Wimbledon this year.
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Wimbledon have raised their prize money by around 20 per cent compared to last year’s event. However, players have taken issue with the prize money on offer as a percentage of total tournament revenue – which is set to be just under 15 per cent.
“Players will limit their contractual media commitments at the tournament to 15 minutes — reflecting that Wimbledon currently pays slightly below 15 per cent of revenues to players as prize money — for the duration of the first week of the Championships,” the statement said.
Players also staged a media protest at Roland Garros; and they have previously expressed concerns regarding the ever-expanding Tour schedule.
Ben Shelton, the world number five, discussed all these matters while speaking to Tennishead at The Hurlingham Club.
Ben Shelton says the tennis schedule is ‘unsustainable’ as he reveals support for players
“I totally support the players, obviously,” Shelton said at Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic in London when asked about the Wimbledon media protest. “I think that in the proposal that was sent over, there’s a lot of things in there.
“But a big one is a seat at the table, decisions that really affect our lives in terms of how many days the tournaments are, adding an extra day, what the implications of that are.
“From a revenue perspective, but also from a player welfare perspective, the US Open is basically a three-week event at this point, 21 days.
“I think it’s all things that are a concern for the players. So I think that from the surface and the outside, a lot of people just see it as a money thing.
“For me, it’s more some of the other decisions that happen without player input, really having a player counsel, if you will, for the slams and a seat at the table.”
Ben was also asked for his thoughts on the tennis schedule and the high number of injuries seen on the Tour in recent months.
Carlos Alcaraz, Lorenzo Musetti, Jack Draper and Holger Rune are just some of the ATP stars who have suffered long-term injuries over the past eight months.
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“Yeah, it’s disappointing to see,” Shelton said of the injuries to his peers. “I think that those 12-day events are grueling.
The ATP has slowly introduced expanded Masters 1000 events over the past two years.
As of this year, nine of the 11 Masters events take place over the best part of two weeks.
The only one-week Masters events remaining are Monte Carlo and Paris.
I think it’s no secret that the tennis tour has become – you hate to say it, but unsustainable for a lot of players,” Shelton continued. “A lot of big talents too – players at the top of the game.
Notable Wimbledon withdrawals
- Carlos Alcaraz
- Lorenzo Musetti
- Valentin Vacherot
- Tomas Machac
- Sebastian Korda
- Holger Rune
- Arthur Cazaux
- Reilly Opelka
“So I hope that, you know, tennis or the governing bodies are seeing this happening and are looking to make a change.
“Obviously, I wish I had all the answers,” the American, ranked fifth on the ATP Tour, admitted. “I don’t have all the answers of what the solution is or what that looks like.
“But I think for certain it’s tough for me to see other players who’ve been on fire playing really good tennis and also friends be on the sideline for so long because you know that the body can’t handle the amount of stress that this tour puts on.”
Ben, who has reached the quarter-finals at last year’s Wimbledon event, is currently competing at the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic.
On Thursday afternoon, the American star defeated Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-4 at the exhibition event.
The American will play Jiri Lehecka in the next round after the Czech player defeated Cameron Norrie in West London.
Ben Shelton’s Wimbledon record
Shelton first competed at Wimbledon in 2023, reaching the second round.
The youngster first recorded an impressive five-set victory over Taro Daniel, triumphing 6-4, 6-3, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3.
He was then defeated by Laslo Djere in four sets.
A year later, the American advanced to the fourth round after beating Mattia Bellucci, Lloyd Harris and Denis Shapovalov.
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In the last 16, Shelton was beaten by Jannik Sinner in straight sets.
The 23-year-old suffered a similar fate at the 2025 Championships.
Shelton reached the quarter-finals of last year’s event, beating Rinky Hijikata and Marton Fucsovics en route.
In the quarter-finals, he was again beaten by Jannik Sinner; who went on to win his first Wimbledon title.
