Sports

Djokovic, Gauff and other players ask the Grand Slam tournaments for more money and more say

A group of 20 top tennis stars including Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff have signed a letter to the head of the grand slam tournament demanding fairer compensation and greater influence on major tournaments.
The letter entails handwritten signatures of the top 10 women among the top 11 in the ranking of March excluding Elena Rybakina. Dated  March 21, the letter was sent to the four grand slam tournament heads asking for an in-person meeting during this month’s Madrid Open to discuss their concerns. It was addressed to Craig Tiley (Australian Open), Stephane Morel (French Open), Sally Bolton (Wimbledon) and Lew Sherr (U.S. Open).
The 3 major concerns outlined the  players to be addressed in the letter  the organiser include:
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1. Increase in players’ fund “to a more appropriate percentage of tournament revenues, reflective of the players’ contribution to tournament value”, as mentioned in the letter. 
2. Players demand for their greater influence in decision-making in major tournaments that “directly impact competition, as well as player health and welfare.”
3. Athletes called for Grand Slam tournaments to make greater financial contributions to player welfare programs.
In response to the demands, USTA spokesman Brendan McIntyre said that the organization welcomes “open and direct conversations with the players”, and that they are consently looking for ways to improve player and fan benefits. Story continues below this ad
News of the letter being sent broke over two weeks after the players’ association filed a lawsuit against the women’s and men’s professional tours, the International Tennis Federation and the sport’s integrity agency in federal court in New York. Djokovic however, was not part of the l of plaintiffs, as he called for other players to step up. 
The suit looks to allocate more money for players, while also looking at other faults in the way the sport is run. A total of $75 million was allocated for player compensation, including prize money and to cover other expenses. This sum marks a 15% increase from the $64 million offered in the 2024 U.S. Open. 

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