Reilly Opelka Takes Brutal Dig at Grand Slam Events over Prize Money Conflict

Now, Reilly Opelka has joined the discussion around the Grand Slam prize money. Every top player is demanding a better share of the revenue generated by the Majors (22%).

The total prize pool for this year’s French Open is $72.1 million, and players are projected to receive less than 15% of that revenue. Opelka called out the Grand Slams by comparing tennis to golf.

Scottie Scheffler’s caddie makes more $ than some top 10 tennis players.

Reilly Opelka wrote on Instagram story

Check out his post here:

Opelka was last seen in action at Madrid. In the first round, he handed the walkover to Nicolai Budkov Kjær.

The top players have sent two letters to the Majors, demanding better prize money. But because the Majors haven’t taken any action, players believe boycotting a Grand Slam event is the last option to fulfill their demand.

Aryna Sabalenka said players will boycott at some point in the future. Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina are ready to join it, but not Iga Swiatek, who believes boycotting will be an extreme step.

Men’s World No.1 Jannik Sinner stated that, more than the prize money, players deserve more respect from the Majors. Novak Djokovic, even though he’s not a part of the conflict, backed the idea of boycotting.

Apart from the prize money, players also feel they’re denied a voice in important decisions. They also want the Majors to contribute to player welfare benefits.

Here’s what Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner said about the Grand Slam prize money dispute

The Italian Open is underway at Foro Italico. Aryna Sabalenka, for the second time this year, lost before reaching the final. Sorana Cirstea came from a set down to knock the Belarusian out in the third round. In the pre-tournament press conference, Sabalenka expressed her optimism that both sides (players and Grand Slams) would reach a conclusion and end the prize money conflict in the future.

I just really hope that we, at some point, are going to get to the right decision, to the conclusion that everyone will be happy with. I feel like nowadays, we girls can easily get together and go for this because some of the things I feel like it’s really unfair to the players.

In his pre-tournament press conference, Jannik Sinner, who is eyeing history at his home tournament, expressed his feelings on the possible boycott.

It’s tough to say. I cannot predict the future in a way. But in the same time, I also believe that somewhere we need to start. It’s not nice that after one year we are not even close to the conclusion of what we would like to have… I truly believe that within 48 hours you have not only a response but you also have a meeting.

Sabalenka has already played four finals this season, winning three titles. She beat Marta Kostyuk in the Brisbane International final, then lost the Australian Open final to Elena Rybakina.

The four-time Grand Slam singles champion then completed the Sunshine Double by beating Rybakina in Indian Wells and home favorite Coco Gauff in the Miami Open finals. Sinner also completed the Sunshine Double by defeating Daniil Medvedev in the Indian Wells final and Jiri Lehecka in the Miami Open final.

The 24-year-old then clinched the Monte-Carlo Masters by beating Carlos Alcaraz, before he became the first man to win the first four Masters 1000s of the season by beating Alexander Zverev in the Madrid Open final. If he wins the Italian Open, he will become the first man to lift six Masters 1000s as well as the second man, after Novak Djokovic, to complete the Career Golden Masters.

Also read: Joao Fonseca Holds His Head High Following Shocking Italian Open Exit