Jannik Sinner Makes Stance Clear on Possible Grand Slam Boycott over Prize Money Issue: “We Give Much More Than What We’re Getting Back”

Now Jannik Sinner has given his opinion regarding the ongoing prize money controversy stemming from Grand Slam events not paying a greater share of the revenue to the players, who are the backbone of these tournaments. After sending multiple letters to demand more prize money, players have had enough.

Women’s World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka first threatened to boycott a Major, and her rivals like Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina backed her views. But Iga Swiatek did not, because she thinks boycotting would be too “extreme” a step.

When the French Open announced this year’s prize pool is $72.1 million, players pointed out they are projected to receive only 14.9% of the revenue (lower than the 15.5% share in 2024). According to Sinner, more than the prize money, the players deserve more respect, which they don’t receive much from the Major bosses.

It’s more about respect, you know? Because ​I think we give much more than what we are getting back… It’s not only for the top players, it’s for all of us players. Of course, we talk about ​money. The most important is respect, and we just don’t feel it.

Jannik Sinner said via Italian Open pretournament press

Novak Djokovic is not involved in the controversy, but he has given his full support to the players. He said he understands quite well what the players, particularly the lower-ranked ones face, and sometimes they’re forced to abandon their tennis careers due to a lack of proper funding.

It’s not nice that after one year we are not even close to conclusion of what we would like to have. So I do understand players talking about boycott ‘cause it’s somewhere we also need to start. Now it’s been a very long time with this. ​Then we see in the ​future.

Jannik Sinner added

When it comes to revenue, players want 22% of the share. Players are also demanding other benefits, such as having a stronger voice in decision-making, better healthcare, maternity and pension benefits.

Jannik Sinner prefers playing one-week Masters 1000s

The player who is enjoying red-hot form at present is none other than Jannik Sinner. Since winning his first Indian Wells title, Sinner went on to take home the Miami Open, Monte Carlo Masters, and earlier this week, emerged victorious at the Madrid Open.

In Rome, Sinner will be aiming to become only the second man, after Novak Djokovic, to complete the Career Golden Masters. And in defending champion Carlos Alcaraz‘s absence, the 24-year-old will be the heavy favorite to emerge triumphant.

In the pre-tournament press conference, Sinner once again was asked about which Masters 1000s he prefers: one-week or two-week ones. Sinner voiced his frustrations, suggesting that the ATP wouldn’t be doing anything even if the majority of the players prefer the weeklong Masters 1000s.

This is something we cannot change at the moment. It is quite useless to spend energy on this. We also agree that most players prefer Masters 1000 tournaments for one week. It goes by faster, you finish the match, and the next day you have another one.

The four-time Major champion is set to start his Italian Open campaign against Sebastian Ofner. He needs just four more match wins to surpass Djokovic’s record of 31 consecutive Masters 1000s match wins.

Sinner finished as the runner-up last year in Rome as well as in Paris. In the latter event, he squandered a two-set lead and three match points in the fourth set and eventually lost to Alcaraz. The South Tyrol native will be completing the Career Grand Slam if he wins at Roland Garros. The French Open kicks off on May 24th. Two-time defending champion Alcaraz won’t be playing.

Also read: Stefanos Tsitsipas Takes Dig at Goran Ivanisevic with His Grand Slam Guarantee Remark