Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are spearheading a renewed campaign by top tennis stars to secure a larger share of the vast revenues generated by the Grand Slam tournaments.
The current world No 1 and No 2 have signed a letter sent to the governing bodies of the four majors, urging them to raise the players’ share of revenue from 16 per cent to 22 per cent.
They are joined by Britain’s Jack Draper and leading women’s players Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek in a rare show of unity across the ATP and WTA Tours.
The letter, dated August 18 and obtained by the Associated Press, also calls for pension contributions, enhanced healthcare and maternity benefits to be introduced for players.
It represents a significant escalation of the push for better pay and conditions that began earlier this year when Novak Djokovic led the charge by signing a similar letter in March.
Djokovic, who co-founded the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA), is not a signatory on this second communication but has been vocal about the need for structural reform.
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Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are spearheading a renewed campaign by top tennis stars to secure a larger share of the vast revenues generated by the Grand Slam tournaments
| REUTERSEarlier this year, the 24-time Grand Slam champion filed an antitrust lawsuit against the ATP, WTA, International Tennis Federation and the sport’s integrity body, accusing them of operating an anti-competitive system that limited player earnings.
The PTPA highlighted at the time that the US Open had generated more than £9.5million from sales of a single signature cocktail — more than the total prize money awarded to the men’s and women’s champions combined.
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Novak Djokovic has complained about money in the past
| PAGrand Slam prize money has already grown dramatically, surpassing £325m in 2025 with projections that it could reach £370m by 2030.
The USTA, which organises the US Open, pointed to its own increases in player compensation in a written response to the latest demands.
“As you are aware, we have always been willing to increase compensation for players,” said interim co-chief executive Brian Vahaly and outgoing executive Stacey Allaster.
“The US Open purse has grown by 57 per cent over the past five years, particularly when additional collaboration on the part of the players helps to create additional revenue.
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Aryna Sabalenka is also part of the group spearheaded by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
| GETTY“This year’s increase to $90 million [£67 million] reflects the addition of an extra day to the main draw singles competition and the resulting contribution made by players.”
The USTA said it remained committed to “direct, honest and transparent discussions” with players aimed at building “a stronger future for the entire tennis ecosystem,” including a healthier calendar and greater financial value for all stakeholders.
Both Alcaraz and Sabalenka earned more than £5.5m for their US Open victories earlier this month, the richest prizes in tournament history, yet many players argue that the financial gap between the stars and lower-ranked professionals remains too wide.
The PTPA has described this latest letter as a “necessary next step” to ensure accountability and to “accelerate long-overdue reform” in how tennis is governed and funded.