TENNIS: Players welcome Grand Slam prize money boost but vow to push for more

MELBOURNE – The Australian Open will offer a record A$111.5 million ($74.73 million) in prize money this year. While players welcomed the increase, top stars like Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka said the push for higher payouts must continue across all Grand Slam tournaments.

Last April, the world’s leading players sent a letter to the Grand Slams calling for significant improvements in prize money. The French Open ($65.42 million) and Wimbledon ($71.60 million) increased their prize pools last year, but both still fell short of the U.S. Open’s $90 million purse.

Twice Grand Slam champion Gauff said the Australian Open’s increase was a positive step, but more could be done considering the tournament’s revenue, reported at $467.33 million last year by the Australian Financial Review.

"The percentage, of revenue comparison, is still not where we would like it," Gauff told reporters Friday.

"There’s still further conversations that have to be had, not just with the Australian Open but with all Grand Slams. Player representatives have been working hard on our behalf because we can’t always be there in person. From my last update, the collective feeling is that yes, there’s progress, but it’s not where we want it to be."

World No. 1 Sabalenka echoed Gauff’s view but said at least the Grand Slams are listening to players.

"I hope one day we’ll get to a happy place for everyone," she added.

The sport’s governing bodies are also facing a lawsuit from the Professional Tennis Players’ Association. Although no longer associated with co-founder Novak Djokovic, the group is pushing for better pay and improved player welfare.

Reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys said she fully supports players receiving better backing from the Grand Slams.

"It’s really important. We give a lot of ourselves to this sport. As the tournaments hold the highest revenue, it makes sense for us to be partners. The conversations have been productive, which makes me cautiously optimistic for the future," Keys said.

The French Open said it is committed to working with players and stakeholders to develop tennis responsibly, while the U.S. Open welcomed open and direct talks with players.

Men’s world No. 3 Alexander Zverev stressed the need for better coordination among the sport’s stakeholders.

"It’s very difficult to get them in one room and talk about what’s best for the future of tennis," he said.

"Maybe it’s more a question for them than for players. We play the matches, we travel the tours, but when we try to get involved in politics, we don’t have much of a voice. Most of the time, it’s a lot of effort from us but not many results, which can be frustrating."

Currency Conversions:

$1 = 1.4921 Australian dollars

$1 = 0.8614 euros

-Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford/Reuters