Aryna Sabalenka refuses to answer question after asking Grand Slams for more money | Tennis | Sport
Aryna Sabalenka didn’t want to go into what the Grand Slam tournament could do better (Image: Getty)
Aryna Sabalenka has been among a group of players calling on the Grand Slam tournaments to give players a greater share of revenue. But ahead of the Australian Open, the world No. 1 chose not to answer a question about improvements the tournament could make for players.
Last March, top ATP and WTA stars wrote a letter to organisers of the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open asking for greater prize money, for the Slams to contribute to player benefit programmes including maternity packages, and more of a say in issues that affect their welfare. A second letter was sent in July.
Sabalenka was among those who signed both letters, and she was involved in talks between players and representatives of the four Major tournaments at a meeting at last year’s French Open.
Progress appears to have been made, as the Australian Open announced a 16 per cent increase in overall prize money this year, while the champion receives 19 per cent more than they did in 2025. However, Sabalenka believes there is still room for improvement – but the four-time Grand Slam champion didn’t want to expand on her thoughts as she returned to Melbourne Park.
“I think we always can do better. But I think all of the Slams, they trying to work together with us and come to conclusion. I hope one day we’ll get to happy place for everyone,” the four-time Major champion said.
But when asked how things could improve, and what the Australian Open could do to be ‘better’, Sabalenka replied: “Well, I mean, can I pass?”
The world No. 1 is focused on her campaign for a third Australian Open title, and started the season on a high by defending her crown at the Brisbane International. Sabalenka also had a big off-season, playing a couple of exhibition matches in America before facing Nick Kyrgios in a Battle of the Sexes.
Aryna Sabalenka is hunting her third title at the Australian Open (Image: Getty)
“Yeah, I had a great off-season, so I was really recovered and ready. Yeah, I played an extra exhibitions, but I think they all made sense. It’s kind of like good matches, to have like matches, to test couple things that I’ve been working on during the pre-season,” she said.
“I felt exhausted after Atlanta and New York, but I had one or two days off, so I felt recovered after. I had a great preparation. Then there is really high-intensity match against Nick, which is also part of my preparation. By the end of the pre-season, I felt really strong and ready.”
As for the players’ ongoing dialogue with the Grand Slam tournaments, reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys, who is a member of the WTA Player Council, believes things are heading in the right direction.
“I think that I completely see the player side of obviously wanting the slams to kind of step up and support player welfare. I think it’s really important. We obviously give a lot of ourselves to this sport. They, being the highest revenue holders, I think it absolutely makes sense. As we are the product, it makes sense for us to be partners,” the world No. 9 said, returning to Melbourne to defend her title.
“I think that it has been the most productive conversations that we’ve ever had, which leads me to be carefully optimistic I think for the future. But I really think it’s in everyone’s best interest to continue to be really good partners to each other. We all need each other. We all want to try to do whatever we can to support each other. I’m, like I said, cautiously optimistic.”
