LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Days after the US Open finals, top tennis players have revealed that would stop campaigning publicly for greater influence and financial benefits from the four Grand Slams instead they will look to make their voices heard through a new Player Advisory Council.
According to Reuters, players launched their campaign in March 2025 for a greater voice in Grand Slam decision-making, more player welfare funding and a larger share of tournament revenues, including a proposal for them to receive 22% of tournament revenues as prize money.
The campaign gained momentum this year as players cut short pre-tournament media duties at the French Open and Wimbledon in protest, while the Grand Slams have all increased prize money amid growing pressure from the group.
The players said the agreement on a council and the progress toward their key objectives marked a “significant step” forward.
“The players will now work directly with the Grand Slams to establish the council, through which players themselves will be directly consulted and able to negotiate on an ongoing basis,” the group said in a statement.
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The group acknowledged that the Grand Slams had yet to meet tennis players’ target of receiving 22% of tournament revenues by 2030 but said prize money had risen significantly since the campaign began last year.
Prize pots have risen across the majors, with this year’s purses reaching $79.92 million at the Australian Open, $71.56 million at the French Open, $86.79 million at Wimbledon and a record $108 million at the U.S. Open.
The group estimated that more than $30 million of recent prize-money increases across the majors exceeded historical growth trends and welcomed a French Open proposal to link payouts to tournament profits.
Tennis players said they would let the formally established council pursue their outstanding objectives through engagement with the four Grand Slams.
They also welcomed the U.S. Open becoming the first Grand Slam to commit $2 million toward player welfare, saying they hoped the contribution would increase over time and prompt similar proposals from the other three majors.
