Jannik Sinner responds to Grand Slam boycott plans and puts spotlight on Wimbledon | Tennis | Sport

Jannik Sinner has weighed in on a potential Grand Slam boycott after joining a group of top players in expressing their “deep” and “collective disappointment” at the French Open’s recent prize money announcement. The ATP No. 1 is one of several players who, last March, co-signed a letter to leaders of the four Grand Slam tournaments, asking for a greater share of tournament revenue as prize money, financial contributions to player welfare schemes, and greater say in decisions that impact them.

It is this same cohort – which also includes Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff – who recently shared their disappointment when the French Open announced a 9.53 per cent increase in prize money, and pointed out that the players’ share in revenue was actually set to decrease.

In the days since, WTA No. 1 Sabalenka has suggested that top players could boycott the Slams in order to have their requests heard. “I feel like the show is on us. I feel like without us there wouldn’t be a tournament and there wouldn’t be that entertainment. I feel like definitely we deserve to be paid more percentage,” she said.

Gauff and Elena Rybakina – who has not been involved in the letters or discussions – also said they would be open to a boycott if everyone were involved. Reigning French Open champion Gauff explained that it was about fighting for lower-ranked players, who “live paycheck to paycheck”.

And Sinner has now voiced his dissatisfaction with the four Grand Slams’ response to the player group’s initial letter last year, putting pressure on Wimbledon and the All England Club to better meet their prize money requests.

“First of all, I think the Grand Slams, they are the best and the most important tournaments we have in our schedule. I do believe that starting also back in the days, the further or past generations we had. I can only talk about the tour since I know. It’s going back 15-plus years,” the four-time Major champion said in Rome.

“Having the victory, not only them, also from the women’s side, incredible rivalries. Now it’s our generation and also for the future generation. It’s more about respect, you know? Because I think we give much more than what we are getting back. It’s not only for the top players; it’s for all of us players. Again, from men’s and women’s side, we are very, very equal.

“I think the top-10 men, top-10 women, we wrote a letter. It’s not nice that after one year we are not even close to conclusion of what we would like to have. Talking in other sports, if the top athletes, they send important letters, I truly believe that within 48 hours, you have not only a response but you also have a meeting with this kind of thing, so…”

Sinner now wants to see whether Wimbledon organisers give players a greater share of tournament revenue when this year’s prize money pot is announced at a pre-tournament press conference in June. He continued: “Of course, we talk about money. 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.

“I think in the next couple of weeks, we [will] know also the prize money we’re going to have in Wimbledon. We truly hope that it’s going to be better. Then, of course, US Open. 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.”

The world No. 1 did not fully commit to joining a potential boycott but hinted that something needed to be done, and agreed with Sabalenka’s recent argument that there would be no tournaments without the players.

“Of course, 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. I understand other players not playing. But yeah, let’s see,” he added.

“Definitely, I can see all the press conferences, and I’m definitely not the only one. It’s the first time that I feel like the players are all in the same scenario and in the same point of view.

“I think it’s also right because without that, without the players, they are not going to happen any tournaments. In the same time, we also know and we respect the tournaments because they make us bigger as athletes. I mean, we are very neutral in that. But yeah, I mean, let’s see in the future.”

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