Jessica Pegula Reiterates Demands for Improvement to Players’ Welfare in Grand Slam Tournaments

The hot topic in the tennis world has been about an increase in the prize money in the Grand Slam tournaments and an improvement in welfare. WTA top players such as Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek have spoken about the issue, stressing that the issue has to be looked into. Jessica Pegula has now sent an op-ed letter, expressing concern about the situation.

Earlier this year, a group of top players signed a petition to the Grand Slams Chief claiming that there has to be an increase in the prize money. The petition stated that only 17% of the total Grand Slam revenue is given to players as prize money, which is far below what other sports give to athletes.

Discussions were held between the Grand Slams and players’ representatives in Wimbledon and the US Open. However, the discussions were stalled after the major tournaments’ chiefs revealed that the case with the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has to be resolved before any substantial resolution takes place.

That angered some of the players including Jannik Sinner and Swiatek, who criticized Grand Slams for giving unnecessary excuses and halting discussions. However, one major point that players have expanded on, is the fact that a better revenue-sharing formula will help those at the bottom of the tennis ladder, who are struggling to survive.

In an op-ed written by Pegula in Sports Business Journal, the 31-year-old revealed that players are being pushed to their absolute limit on the court without ever having a seat at the table to discuss their welfare. She added that since the lockdown the sport has attracted more fans and sponsorship deals:

Since the end of lockdown, there has been huge demand from fans, broadcasters and sponsors for live sports and related content. Sports have been competing with one another to satisfy that demand. So far, those demands have to be balanced against the welfare of the main actors in the drama — athletes. At times, it feels that we are little more than assets to be sweated for revenue growth. But we are human beings and there must be limits to the demands placed on us.

Pegula is one of the most senior players on tour having won nine singles tour-level titles in her career. She also reached her first Grand Slam finals at the 2024 US Open but lost the title to Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets. This season, she claimed three titles, including one green clay at Charleston.

Jessica Pegula calls for an adjustment in the tennis schedule after Jack Draper’s injury

This season has seen many players suffer troubling injuries, and some have taken a break from the court. Jack Draper has had to deal with injuries this season and was diagnosed with bone bruising, which forced him to miss almost the second half of the season. Also, Holger Rune tore his Achilles tendon in Stockholm last month.

The Dane injury underlines the need for player protection due to the number of tournaments that they play in a season. Jessica Pegula revealed during the aforementioned op-ed that the tour calendar has to be adjusted to fit players’ demand:

Noting a wave of end-of-season injuries among fellow professionals, Britain’s Jack Draper said last month: ‘We are pushing our bodies to do things that they aren’t supposed to in elite sport… However, the tour and the calendar have to adapt if any of us are going to achieve some sort of longevity.‘

Draper is set to return to tour in January 2026, but Rune doesn’t have a confirmed date for his return. He underwent a successful surgery after the injury in Stockholm. Meanwhile, Fritz has declared that tour schedule has become more physically demanding and tough on the body of players.

Also Read: Kazakhstan’s President Bestows Honor Upon Elena Rybakina for Popularizing Tennis in Country After Historic WTA Finals Win

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