Andrey Rublev Lambasts Grand Slams for Lack of Communication Amid Prize Money Feud: “They Didn’t Respond to Email”

Players sent letters to the Grand Slams and then threatened to boycott them. And at last, they will be protesting by cutting short their press conferences at the French Open.

Players are demanding a higher share of the revenue generated from the Grand Slam events (22%). Along with a better share, they are demanding better players’ welfare, pension, and maternity benefits, among other things.

During the recently concluded Italian Open, several top players threatened to boycott a Major, and now, in Friday’s press conferences, they have planned to walk out after 15 minutes (it’s 15 minutes because Grand Slams share 15% of the revenue to the players). The rest would not be taking part in interviews with the tournament’s main media rights, TNT Sports and Eurosport. ATP World No.13 Andrey Rublev has given his reaction to the dispute.

When you try to communicate and work with someone for years, and it doesn’t work, and nobody pays attention to you… at some point, you feel you have to do something, to demand their attention… We try to explain certain things to them, things that could be done better; it’s not just about money, there are so many aspects… but they don’t listen. They don’t answer.

Andrey Rublev said (H/T: Punto de Break)

The total prize pool for this year’s French Open is approximately $72 million. Singles champions from both men’s and women’s sides will receive $3,253,600, while the runners-up will get $1,626,800. The prize pool has risen by 9.5% this year, but players will receive only 14.3% of the revenue, an increase of just 5.4%.

Let me give you an example: sending an official email and no one responding for months. Do you care so little about us that you don’t even bother to communicate with us? We’re trying to do something to help tennis evolve, so that everyone is happy, but it can’t all go in one direction, and you can’t use the players; that’s not the right way to do things. We just want communication; we’re completely transparent. We’ve already talked about pensions, bonus pools… we ask that you listen to us and communicate with us.

Andrey Rublev added

The main draw of the French Open is set to start on Sunday (May 24th). Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz withdrew because of a wrist injury.

Andrey Rublev on his match against Jannik Sinner

Andrey Rublev will be opening his campaign at the French Open against Ignacio Buse. He was last seen in action in the quarterfinal of the Italian Open, where eventual winner Jannik Sinner eliminated him in straight sets. At the press conference after his win, Rublev was asked whether he believed he could end Sinner’s winning streak.

No, I was not thinking this. It was just I was fighting, keep doing everything I can, and we see what’s going to happen. Yes, it takes you a lot of effort and focus to maintain this level.

The win helped the four-time Grand Slam champion improve his head-to-head record over the Russian ace to 8-3. Sinner is on a 34-match winning streak in Masters 1000s, while this year, he has won 29 back-to-back matches.

The Italian, who will face Clement Tabur in the first round of the French Open, will be chasing the Career Grand Slam milestone. Last year, he lost a thrilling final to Carlos Alcaraz.

Before arriving in Paris, the 24-year-old lifted the Indian Wells Masters, Miami Open, Monte-Carlo Masters, Madrid Open, and the Italian Open, becoming the second man after Novak Djokovic to complete the Career Golden Masters. He is also the second man, after Rafael Nadal, to win the three Masters 1000s on clay in the same season.

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