Novak Djokovic breaks silence on players’ request for more prize money from Grand Slam events
Novak Djokovic, along with other top 20 players demanded a fair share of the revenue generated in Grand Slam events.
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Novak Djokovic (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)
The top 20 players decided to sign a letter to the Grand Slam tournaments to demand a better share in profits. World No.5 Novak Djokovic was also one of the players and ahead of the Monte Carlo Masters, he made his feelings known on players’ demand.
The Grand Slam tournaments offer around 15 percent of the revenue generated to both the men’s and women’s players as prize money. For Casper Ruud, it’s “unfair“. World No.2 Alexander Zverev wants the Grand Slam tournaments to have a discussion with the players and try to find a solution.
Qinwen Zheng said getting more will help the lower-ranked players to “survive“. Stefanos Tsitsipas said players should unite to make this possible. All these players know that a 50-50 share such as in American sport, is not realistic. Djokovic said the percentage of the profits in Grand Slam events should at least be close to the ATP events.
Hopefully, the Grand Slams will respond positively and want to have the players in the room and sit down and talk about the revenue shares, about not just that, but also I think players feel that they need to have counsel with Grand Slam committees and management when they are making some big changes or decisions.
Novak Djokovic said at the press conference
Before the players’ demand, the Djokovic-backed Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) sued the tennis bodies as they accused them of not taking care of the players’ well-being. Along with the PTPA, the class-action lawsuit had 12 former and current players listed as plaintiffs. The World No.5 was not part of the lawsuit and he agreed and disagreed with a lot of things mentioned there.
Andy Murray will not join Novak Djokovic for the Monte Carlo Masters
Andy Murray will not be in Novak Djokovic‘s box for the season’s first Masters 1000. The Serb, when asked at the press conference ahead of the Monte Carlo Masters, joked that he has no idea about the Scot’s whereabouts.
I have no idea, to be honest. I spoke to him about, four or five days ago, and he was back home. I mean, obviously occupied with family and I guess he’s working on his golf swing that’s his priority, I guess, this week.
Novak Djokovic said
Instead, Djokovic’s brother Marko Djokovic will be coaching him. Marko had reached a career-high ranking of No. 571 and played a few tournaments (the last match in 2019).
Djokovic has confirmed that Murray will be joining him at the Madrid Open. It will be Murray’s first tournament as Nole’s coach since the Sunshine Double where Djokovic was defeated in his first match at Indian and had progressed to the final of the Miami Open. The 24-time Grand Slam champion missed out on his 100th ATP title due to his defeat to Jakub Mensik in straight sets.
Novak Djokovic will play Alejandro Tabilo in his Monte Carlo Masters opener
2014 Monte Carlo Masters champion Stan Wawrinka would have scheduled his 28th match against Novak Djokovic had he reached the second round. Alejandro Tabilo defeated him to set up a clash with the two-time Monte Carlo Masters champion.
Djokovic has faced the Chilean just once, the result of which didn’t end in his favor. They locked horns in the round of 32 of the 2024 Italian Open where the World No.32 secured the win in straight sets.
The 37-year-old could meet Daniil Medvedev or Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals. If he progresses to the summit clash, he could set up a blockbuster match against World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, who will kick start his campaign against Fabio Fognini or Francisco Cerundolo.
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