World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka has warned she is prepared to boycott Grand Slam events amid a dispute over prize money.
Sabalenka, who earned £11million last year on the court, is among players who have argued Grand Slam tournaments should provide stars with a greater share of their revenues.
Speaking ahead of the Italian Open in Rome, 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.
Aryna Sabelenka has threatened to boycott Grand Slam events amid a dispute over prize money
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
‘I think at some point it’s going to get to this.’
She added: ‘I feel like without us there wouldn’t be a tournament and there wouldn’t be that entertainment. I feel like definitely we deserve to be paid more percentage.
‘I just really hope that all of the negotiation that we are having, we at some point are going to get to the right decision, to the conclusion that everyone will be happy with.’
The four-time Grand Slam champion had been among a group of the world’s top 20 male and female players to release 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.
The men’s and women’s champions will earn £2.4m, while the tournament has stressed more prize money is available to players who compete in the early rounds and are reliant on those sums to fund their seasons.
‘As Roland Garros looks to post record revenues, players are therefore receiving a declining share of the value they help create,’ the group stated, with Sabalenka, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff among the signatories.
‘While other major international sports are modernising governance, aligning stakeholders, and building long-term value, the Grand Slams remain resistant to change.
Sablenka claimed players deserve to be paid a higher percentage of the revenues earned
‘The absence of player consultation and the continued lack of investment in player welfare reflect a system that does not adequately represent the interests of those who are central to the sport’s success.’
Players had sent 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.
Sinner, the men’s world No 1, last October criticised the Grand Slams for failing to engage in talks over their requests.
Six-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek and American star Ben Shelton admitted in Rome they were unaware of a possible boycott, but backed calls for talks with the Grand Slams.
Last year’s US Open had a record £63m prize pool, an increase of 21 per cent from 2024, while Sabalenka earning £3.7m for winning the women’s title.
Wimbledon last year had a seven per cent increase in prize money to £53.5m, with the men’s and women’s champions earning £3m each.
This year’s Australian Open boosted prize money to £55m, with the singles champions taking home £2m.
