Qinwen Zheng confirms top 20 players have asked Grand Slam events for higher prize money

The comments of Qinwen Zheng were backed by Emma Navarro as the players' expectations regarding Grand Slam prize money grow.

Qinwen Zheng confirms top 20 players have asked Grand Slam events for higher prize money

Qinwen Zheng (Image via X)

Olympic Gold medalist Qinwen Zheng has voiced support for increasing prize money in tennis, saying it would especially help lower-ranked players who struggle financially. The Olympic champion is among the top 20 players who signed a letter asking the four Grand Slams for a bigger revenue share. L’Équipe first reported the letter.

Emma Navarro, ranked No. 11, also backed the request, citing “unfair pay ratios.” Prize money at Wimbledon doubled from £25m in 2014 to £50m in 2023. First-round losers now earn £60,000, up from £27,000 a decade ago. Still, players believe Grand Slams make massive profits and should distribute more to them.

I think that’s going to benefit all the players, not only the top players, especially those that work hard during the year and need to get paid from the Grand Slams and have to survive. That’s really positive, because if you look at basketball, they all get paid 50-50. The players, we’re working really hard, because I’m a tennis player I know how much I’ve worked to arrive here. We try to do what we can, and then let’s see what the gods brings to us. But at least we’re trying.

Qinwen Zheng said in a recent press conference

In the year leading to July 2023, Wimbledon’s organizers, the All England Club (AELTC), generated £380m in revenue. After covering costs, their profit was just under £54m. Almost £49m of that went to the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), as part of a long-term agreement.

This push for better pay comes as the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) takes legal action against major tennis organizations. Co-founded by Novak Djokovic, the PTPA accuses the ATP, WTA, ITF, and ITIA of monopolizing the sport and ignoring player welfare.

Qinwen Zheng extends clay court winning streak

Third seed Qinwen Zheng dominated her second-round match at the Credit One Charleston Open. She defeated Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-1 on Wednesday night, securing a spot in the Round of 16. This is Zheng’s first time back in Charleston since her debut in 2022.

Qinwen Zheng
Qinwen Zheng (Image via X)

Zheng, the reigning Olympic gold medalist, needed just 1 hour and 32 minutes to beat Sakkari. Before this match, Sakkari led their head-to-head record 2-1, but all those matches were on hard courts. Clay, however, is Zheng’s strength.

She proved that by extending her winning streak on clay to 12 matches. Her last tournament on the surface was the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she won gold. Before that, she defended her title in Palermo, adding to her clay-court success.

Sakkari, meanwhile, has struggled over the past year. Her ranking has dropped from No. 7 to No. 64, and she has won only six matches this season. She was hoping for her first Top 10 win in over a year but is now 0-8 against Top 10 players since beating Coco Gauff at Indian Wells.

Qinwen Zheng’s key for tactics revealed against Maria Sakkari

Olympic gold medalist Qinwen Zheng’s powerful forehand works well on clay, allowing her to control rallies. She used it to win a long 3-3 game and secure the only break of the first set. Her deep shots kept Maria Sakkari on the defensive.

Qinwen Zheng
Qinwen Zheng (via X)

Her strong first serve also played a big role. Zheng, who led the WTA in aces last year, used a big serve to save a break point and hold for 5-3. She then closed out the first set with ease.

In the second set, her first serve remained a key weapon. She won 87.5% of points on her first serve but struggled on her second serve, winning only a third of those points. Still, she stayed in control and did not face a single break.

Zheng finished the match with a strong forehand to force an error on match point. She now moves on to face No. 13 seed Elise Mertens in the Round of 16. It will be her first-ever match against the former Top 15 player.