Aryna Sabalenka has reiterated her belief that players deserve to be given a higher amount of prize money at tournaments, especially Grand Slams.
In recent weeks it has been reported that a series of top names on both the men’s and women’s Tour have co-signed a letter to the four major events demanding players receive a higher share of the revenue generated. The letter and names of those on it have not been made public so far. There is yet to be any official response from the governing bodies about the demands.
According to the French newspaper L’Equipe, last year’s French Open generated a revenue of around €338 million with overall prize money totalling €53.478 million. This works out as a 16% share for players. Furthermore, It is estimated that the share of revenue for players at the Australian Open ranges between 15-20%.
“I do think we deserve a bigger percentage,” Sabalenka told reporters in Stuttgart on Tuesday.
“I think all of us (the players), we bring the show. I think we deserve to be paid a little bit more.”
Others who have spoken about the topic, argue that the share in revenue players currently receive is less than other sports.’ A view Sabalenka also shares but she admits it is tricky to make a direct comparison.
“If we compare tennis to the rest of the sports, it’s a huge difference in the percentage we are receiving compared to NBA or NHL and the rest of the sports,” she commented.
“We are an individual sport. I can’t compare sports, so I don’t want to go that far but I’d definitely say we deserve a bigger percentage of the Grand Slams. I mean, of all of the tournaments.”
Sabalenka is the top seed at this week’s Porsche tennis Grand Prix but isn’t playing her first match until Saturday due to a combination of factors. She received a first round bye, her second round opponent withdrew due to injury and local laws prevents sporting events from taking place on Good Friday.
The world No.1 is seeking her first title in Stuttgart after reaching the final on three previous occasions between 2021 and 2023. Last year she was knocked out in the quarter-finals by Marketa Vondrousova.
