Jannik Sinner has claimed players are not getting the respect they deserve after refusing to rule out the prospect of stars boycotting Grand Slams amid a dispute over prize money.
Sinner, the men’s world No 1, was quizzed at the Italian Open in Rome on the ongoing dispute after women’s counterpart Aryna Sabalenka issued a warning players could opt to skip majors.
A group of leading men’s and women’s players have argued Grand Slam tournaments should provide stars with a greater share of their revenues.
Sinner was critical of the response from the Grand Slam tournaments, after players wrote an initial letter to the Grand Slams last March, followed by a second in July.
The group had pushed for prize money to represent a greater proportion of revenues, as well as contributing to player welfare and greater representation.
‘It’s more about respect,’ Sinner told reporters. ‘I think we give much more than what we are getting back, it’s not only for the top players – it’s for all of us players, from men’s and women’s side.
Jannik Sinner has hit out at a ‘lack of respect’ shown by Grand Slams to players amid a stand off with Grand Slam tournaments over prize money
‘The top 10 men and top 10 women, we wrote a letter and it’s not nice that after one year we are not even close to a conclusion for what we would like to have.
‘Talking in other sports, if the top athletes, they send important letters, I truly believe that within 48 hours you have not only a response but you also have a meeting.
‘Of course we talk about money. The most important is respect, and we just don’t feel it.’
Sinner, who earned £14million in prize money last season, stopped short of saying he would be prepared to boycott Grand Slam events but admitted he understood the calls to take action.
‘Of course, it’s tough to say, I cannot predict the future in a way,’ Sinner added. ‘It’s the first time that I feel like the players are all in the same scenario and in the same point of view.
‘I think it’s also right because without the players, they are not going to happen, any tournaments. In the same time we also know and we respect the tournaments because they make us bigger as athletes.’
Leading players had released a statement criticising the level of prize money on offer at this year’s French Open.
The French Open last month confirmed a 9.5 per cent increase in prize money at Roland Garros, with the prize pool now at £52.6m.
Sabalenka, who earned £3.7m for winning the US Open last year, is among a group of leading players pushing for an increase in prize money as a percentage of tournament revenues
Last year’s US Open had a record £63m prize pool, an increase of 21 per cent from 2024, with the singles champions earning £3.7m.
Wimbledon last year had a seven per cent increase in prize money to £53.5m, while this year’s Australian Open boosted prize money to £55m.
Men’s and women’s champions took home £3m and £2m respectively at the two events.
Speaking this week, Sabalenka stressed that at some point players were going to boycott the four majors to push their case.
‘I feel like that’s going to be the only way to kind of, like, fight for our rights,’ Sabalenka said.
‘Let’s see how far we can get. If it’s going to take players for boycott.
‘I feel like nowadays, we girls can easily get together and go for this because some of the things I feel like it’s really unfair to the players.’
Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, praised Sabalenka’s leadership on the issue and a strong player position, but has also stopped short of committing to a potential boycott.
