In recent weeks, a growing number of top-tier tennis players have begun to speak out against what they describe as long-standing inequalities in prize money distribution and tournament revenue sharing. Their collective message is clear: it’s time for the athletes—those who drive the sport forward and attract millions of fans worldwide—to receive fairer compensation for their contributions.
The call for higher pay has been simmering beneath the surface of professional tennis for years. While Grand Slam tournaments and top-tier ATP and WTA events generate vast amounts of revenue through ticket sales, sponsorships, broadcasting rights, and merchandising, players outside the top 10 often struggle to cover the significant expenses associated with travel, coaching, and training. Now, even the biggest names in the sport are lending their voices to the movement, demanding a more equitable financial structure.
Leading the charge is Novak Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion and a vocal advocate for player rights. Through his work with the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), an independent player union co-founded by Djokovic in 2020, he has consistently emphasized the need for transparency in how tennis revenue is allocated and has criticized the limited input players have in key decisions made by tournament organizers and governing bodies.
“We need to be at the table when decisions are made that directly impact us,” Djokovic said in a recent press conference. “Tennis players are the product. Fans tune in to watch us compete, yet we have very little say in how the business side of the sport is run. That needs to change.”
Other high-profile players, including Iga Świątek, Coco Gauff, Daniil Medvedev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas, have echoed these sentiments. Świątek, the current world number one on the WTA Tour, expressed concern about the discrepancies between male and female athletes, particularly in tournaments where prize money parity has yet to be achieved.
“It’s not just about equal pay between men and women,” she said. “It’s about fair pay across the board. Many players, especially those ranked outside the top 100, are barely breaking even. That’s not sustainable if we want tennis to remain a global sport with diverse talent.”
The issue came to a head during the 2025 Australian Open, where players were reportedly frustrated by the lack of communication regarding prize money changes. Despite the tournament’s record-setting profits, prize money increases were modest compared to the surging costs faced by athletes. A group of players from both the ATP and WTA tours submitted a joint letter to the tournament organizers, demanding greater transparency and a more substantial share of the event’s revenue.
Critics argue that elite players already earn millions in endorsements and prize money, but players counter that this overlooks the economic challenges faced by the broader player base. According to a recent PTPA report, nearly 80% of professional tennis players earn less than $100,000 annually from prize money—an amount that often doesn’t cover their annual expenses.
The tennis governing bodies—the ATP, WTA, ITF, and Grand Slam Board—have acknowledged the players’ concerns, with some expressing willingness to open dialogues about new financial models. However, structural change in tennis has historically been slow and complex due to the sport’s fragmented governance.
Still, the growing unity among players and the high-profile nature of those speaking out could serve as a turning point. As tennis looks to modernize and retain its global audience in a competitive sports landscape, addressing the economic disparities at all levels of the game may be essential.
“Without the players, there is no product,” said Gauff. “It’s time the system reflects that reality—not just in words, but in the way revenue is shared. We’re not asking for charity—we’re asking for fairness.”
As the 2025 season unfolds, the tennis world will be watching closely to see whether the players’ collective voice will lead to meaningful change—or whether it will take more unified action to move the needle.