Jannik Sinner Calls for More ‘Respect’ from Grand Slams in Prize Money Dispute

Jannik Sinner stops short of backing grand slam boycott

Players criticized the French Open’s 9.5% prize money rise as insufficient compared to revenue growth.

Sinner begins his bid for a record sixth consecutive Masters 1000 title in Rome on Saturday...

On Thursday, Jannik Sinner said Grand Slam tournaments need to show tennis players more respect amid the ongoing dispute over prize money. He stopped short, however, of suggesting players should boycott the sport’s major events.  

Last year, nearly every top player signed two letters sent to the leaders of the four Grand Slams. The letters asked for higher prize money, contributions to a player welfare fund to strengthen retirement and maternity benefits, and a greater role in decisions that affect them.

The letters proposed giving players 22% of tournament revenue, a figure that would put the Grand Slams on par with the nine combined ATP and WTA 1000 events.  

Speaking at the Italian Open in Rome, Sinner said players still hadn’t reached an agreement with the organizers of Wimbledon, the French Open, the US Open, and the Australian Open.

“It's more about respect. Because I think we give much more than we are getting back. It's not only for the top players; it's for all of us players,” Sinner said.

“It's not nice that after one year we are not even close to conclusion of what we would like to have.”

On Monday, women’s world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka said she would consider boycotting the Grand Slams if it was needed to push organizers to act.  

Her remarks followed a player statement criticizing last month’s announcement that the French Open would raise prize money by 9.5%, calling it insufficient.  

The statement pointed out that while revenue rose 14% last year, the total prize pool only increased 5.4%, cutting the players’ share down to 14.3%.  

Sinner hinted carefully that he might support players walking away from Grand Slam events down the line.

“Of course, we talk about money, but the most important is respect, and we just don't feel it. I think we players, we are a bit disappointed also of the outcome of Roland Garros, for example. So let's see what's coming," added Sinner.

“So I do understand players talking about boycott because it's somewhere we also need to start. Now it has been a very long time with this. Then we see in the future.”

Sinner will open his campaign for a sixth straight Masters 1000 title on Saturday against either Sebastian Ofner or Alex Michelsen. 

Sinner with STRONG words about the Grand Slam prize money and the possible boycott.

“It’s all about respect. We give much more than we are getting from them” pic.twitter.com/arYNv5LWUo

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) May 7, 2026

The four-time Grand Slam champion is riding a 23-match win streak and heads into the event as the clear favorite for the singles crown, especially with rival Carlos Alcaraz sidelined by injury and playing in front of his home crowd in Rome.