Aryna Sabalenka recently stated that tennis players could ‘boycott’ future Grand Slam events amid ongoing disputes concerning the prize money on offer at Grand Slam events.
The remark was made shortly after a statement criticising the prize money on offer at the French Open – co-authored by the likes of Sabalenka, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner – was made public.
The collection of players believe the prize money as a percentage of tournament revenue [estimated to be 15 per cent] falls ‘far short of the 22 per cent that players have requested to bring the grand slams into line with the ATP and WTA tours.’
Is a French Open boycott realistic?
Players aren't happy with the prize money on offer…
Sabalenka’s ‘boycott’ comments have drawn support from the likes of Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, Novak Djokovic and Madison Keys.
Patrick McEnroe, former captain of the US Davis Cup team, has offered his thoughts on the ongoing prize money dispute.
Patrick McEnroe says players should receive a greater share of Grand Slam revenue
Speaking to Newsweek, McEnroe said: “In tennis, the percentage the players receive of the total revenue is approximately 14 to 15 per cent.
“Pretty low, especially when you compare it to those big team sports, like football, like basketball, like baseball.
“They’re getting approximately 50 per cent of the revenues in those other sports.
“I think they should get at least in the mid 20s of the percentile.
“For the players, sort of like me, the journeyman players, ranked between 25 and 100, 150 in the world – those are the players that, a lot of them, despite being top players in the world, are not exactly making huge amounts of money.
“Some of them are struggling to just stay on the Tour.”
The dispute over Grand Slam prize money is likely to rumble on for the foreseeable future.
With player’s now alluding to a possible boycott, Grand Slam events may need to rethink their strategy – or risk losing a portion of their viewership.
Simply put, a boycott would most certainly damage the Grand Slam product, affecting the viewership of said major events and damaging the reputation of the sport in its entirety.
With that being said, those complaining certainly do have a valid argument. The revenue share players receive from Grand Slam events pales in comparison to many of tennis’ peers on the global stage.
Who is Patrick McEnroe?
McEnroe, of Bronxville, New York, is the 1989 French Open Men’s Doubles champion and the former world number three in doubles.
McEnroe, the brother of seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, John McEnroe, also achieved a career-high singles ranking of 28 and made a semi-final appearance at the 1991 Australian Open.
At that event, McEnroe was defeated by eventual champion Boris Becker.
McEnroe retired from his playing career in 1998, having amassed 16 doubles titles and one singles title.
The American went on to captain the US Davis Cup team, taking over the leadership position from his brother.
McEnroe led his nation to the 2007 Davis Cup title, which remains the US’ most recent triumph in the event.
