Jannik Sinner Blasts Grand Slams for Their Delaying Tactics on Prize Money and Welfare for Lower-Ranked Players
Jannik Sinner will face Belgium's Zizou Bergs in the second round of the Rolex Paris Masters.
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Jannik Sinner (image via Tennis Channel)
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Jannik Sinner has admitted that he’s disappointed with the Grand Slam tournaments’ inaction over players’ welfare benefits and increased prize money. This comes when several players are seeking a reduction of the tour calendar and more breaks in between mandatory tournaments.
In March, a group of top 10 players in the ATP and WTA, including Sinner, signed a petition to the Grand Slam tournaments executive seeking an increase in prize money and welfare bonuses for players on tour. The group selected representatives to meet with the major tournament chiefs and find an agreement.
Unfortunately, the tournament executives told the players’ representative that they cannot hold a separate discussion for their proposal until the legal case brought by the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has been resolved. The reply from the Grand Slam executives didn’t go well with the group of players.
One of their major proposals was that the prize money be increased as the ratio of prize money to overall tournament income at the four Grand Slams is around 12% to 15%, compared to 22% on the ATP and the WTA tours. Also, it is not news that Slam events rack up more total revenue than other tournaments.
The calendar and scheduling have been an important topic this season, but nothing is stopping the major tournaments from addressing players’ concerns. During an interview with The Guardian, Sinner revealed his frustration with the Grand Slam tournaments, particularly the French Open and Wimbledon:
We had good conversations with the Grand Slams at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon, so it was disappointing when they said they cannot act on our proposals until other issues are resolved. The Grand Slams are the biggest events and generate most of the revenue in tennis, so we are asking for a fair contribution to support all players, and for prize money that better reflects what these tournaments earn.
The likes of Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff have also added their voice that there should be an increase in prize money in Grand Slam events. However, at the 2025 US Open, the prize money was up 20% in total from 2024. The winner of the women’s and men’s singles titles went home with a whopping $5 million.
Jannik Sinner opens up on how he shook off fatigue to beat Alexander Zverev in Vienna
Jannik Sinner had to dig deep to claim a sensational victory against Alexander Zverev at the Vienna Open final. The World No.2 was down after the first set and was struggling with cramps in his left hamstring, but he did well to shake off the problem, mounting a comeback to beat the German star 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 on Sunday (October 26).
The title win was his fourth of the season and second ATP 500 crown. During an interview with Tennis Major, he was asked how he felt while he was struggling physically against Zverev. He revealed that it was almost the same situation that he had faced at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, which forced him to retire from his third-round tie:
It wasn’t the same issue as in Shanghai, just normal fatigue. I played five days in a row. The final was really physical, and these things can happen. The body feels good now, maybe a bit tired, but not worried at all. I recover better each day. Tomorrow is my first match here, and I’m focused on starting strong and building from there.
Sinner will now hope to win his first Rolex Paris Masters after the tournament kicked off on Monday (October 27). He has never lifted the trophy in his career and will open his campaign against Belgium’s Zizou Bergs. The 24-year-old is projected to face Francisco Cerundolo in the third round of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament.
Also Read: Andrey Rublev Admits he Might Take “a Pause” From Tennis as he’s Completely “Worn out”
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