Iga Swiatek Joins the Call Regarding Players’ Welfare Negotiations with Grand Slam Chiefs

Iga Swiatek has urged the Grand Slams to engage in negotiations and reconsider the players’ proposal concerning revenue sharing, players’ welfare, and other issues. The former World No. 1’s statement comes just days after Jannik Sinner criticized the major tournaments’ chiefs for slowing down negotiations.

Players from the ATP and WTA have united through representatives to converse with the Grand Slam tournaments. They had written a proposal to major tournaments with the likes of Aryna Sabalenka, Casper Ruud, Coco Gauff, Madison Keys, and Sinner being signatories to it. A group of representatives had a first meeting with Grand Slam chiefs in Paris during the Roland Garros.

After that, the group met with Grand Slam chiefs at the Wimbledon Championships earlier this year, with the participation of former WTA CEO Larry Scott, who acted as an advisor for the players’ representation. However, reports revealed that communication between the group of representatives and Grand Slam chiefs has stalled.

The players were informed that they would analyze the proposal but placed priority on resolving legal matters with the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), which had sued all tennis bodies regarding abusive practices, poor money prizes, and an unsustainable calendar. That has not gone well with several top players, including Sinner who recently criticized their decision.

At the WTA Finals, Swiatek was asked about the issue in an interview with AFP via Barrons and the stalled negotiations between Grand Slam chiefs and the players’ representatives. The 24-year-old explained that the players are seeking to go beyond the monetary issues:

For sure, it would be great if the Grand Slams wanted to talk to us, because that’s how it’s supposed to be, and I don’t really get why there’s no more open conversation. It’s not only about prize money, but also about the pension, the health plan and just having more smooth cooperation and communication in the future. So I think for sure it’s a setback and for sure the players are not happy with it.

Swiatek crashed out of the WTA Finals in Riyadh after back-to-back losses against Elena Rybakina and Amanda Anisimova, respectively. The 2023 champion had won her opening match against Keys, but failed to produce that same level of performance against Rybakina and Anisimova in the last round robin matches at the prestigious season-ending tournament.

Jessica Pegula says the negotiations aren’t only for high-profile players on tour

According to the PTPA, only between 13% and 15% of Grand Slam tournaments’ total revenues are allocated to prize money. The latest proposal from the ATP and WTA players is to reach at least a 22% share of the revenue, taking into consideration the revenue sharing of other sports such as the NBA and NHL, where players are estimated to receive around 50% of the revenue.

Jessica Pegula, who’s a part of the WTA Players’ Council, affirmed during the aforementioned press conference that players are seeking changes to the tennis ecosystem and it doesn’t benefit only high-profile players on tour:

We’re just trying to be a united voice. I think it’s the first time we’ve actually been able to come together with both tours. And so that’s a testament to just everybody being really open-minded and wanting to come together on making our sport better and better for the players.

Pegula booked her place in the semi-finals of the WTA Finals after winning two matches in the round robin stage. She defeated Coco Gauff in the opening match but lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the next, before overcoming Jasmine Paolini in the final group match on Thursday (November 6). She’s set to face Elena Rybakina in the last four of the tournament as she hopes to reach the final like she did in 2023.

Also Read: Former World No.1 Argues that Novak Djokovic’s End of the Season Schedule has become Non-Coherent

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW