Jessica Pegula Shares her Stance on Potential Grand Slam Boycott Over Prize Money Dispute

Jessica Pegula has admitted that she hopes players do not resort to boycotting the Grand Slam tournaments following Aryna Sabalenka‘s call for that. The American star blames the lack of proper communication and understanding from the major tournaments, notably the French Open, in recent months.

Over the last several months to a year, top tennis players, including Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek, have spoken out against the unfair prize money of Grand Slam tournaments, while demanding a greater share of the tournaments’ revenue, increased welfare and pension programs.

The top ATP and WTA players formally issued a letter, with more than 10 signatories, last year, demanding an increase in their share of revenue from Slam events. However, the request has fallen into the silent hole of corporate offices at Grand Slam, frustrating tennis players.

The issue with prize money has garnered more attention after the upcoming French Open announced a 9.5 percent increase in prize money, bringing the total to $72.3 million. However, the increase has not met a reasonable mark, as players complain about receiving less than 17 percent of the overall revenue generated by the tournament.

Sabalenka, earlier this week, revealed that the players may have to boycott Grand Slam tournaments to force the organizers to heed their demands. Coco Gauff and Jasmine Paolini have since supported the claim, while Sinner has slammed the organizers for not showing respect to players. Pegula revealed that she hopes players do not resort to boycotting events, while blaming major event organizers for a lack of proper communication:

I have always been involved in that initiative to improve communication with the Grand Slam tournaments to increase prize money, to get them involved in the players’ well-being and pensions, all these issues. It was great that Jannik and Aryna were very candid in this aspect, but I hope we don’t have to resort to that boycott, that would be an extreme measure. What is clear is that something needs to be done, it was amazing to see them speak on this issue…

The prize money issue is likely going to be a lingering debate between players and Slam Chiefs. Grand Slams have been reluctant to increase prize money further in their willingness to give players a fair share. However, the major tournaments gain far more money than any other tournament in the sport, which makes players’ demands logical.

Jessica Pegula admits she was nervous during her opening match in Rome

On a day when some seeded players had to fight to get to the next round of the Italian Open, Jessica Pegula faces minimal resistance on Friday (May 8). The No.5 seed defeated Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez 6-4, 6-0 to earn her place in the third round of the WTA 1000 tournament. She was clinical against Sonmez, converting 4 of the Turkish star’s 7 serves.

Pegula, who crashed out in the third round of the Madrid Open, needed the win to boost her confidence ahead of Roland Garros. She won 72.9 percent of her service points and 50 percent of her return points. She admitted during the aforementioned press conference that she was a bit nervous during the match:

It was really good. The first set was pretty tough … then I started to play a little bit more free. I’m happy with my performance today. I was a little nervous and I was on edge coming into today. She already had a match under her belt. I felt better getting through.

Pegula will face Rebeka Masarova in the third round. The Swiss star defeated Leylah Fernandez in three sets. Pegula will hope to defeat Masarova to earn a place in the fourth round of the Italian Open, which would be a significant improvement over her performance at the tournament last year.

Also Read: Matteo Berrettini Stunned by Bizarre Umpire Call in Early Italian Open Exit