PTPA intensifies legal action as top-20 ATP and WTA players push for higher Grand Slam earnings

ATP and WTA stars escalate legal action filed by the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), as top-20 male and female players sign a letter demanding a substantial prize money increase from the organisers of the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open.

According to L’Équipe, the letter calls for a better distribution of financial profits in Grand Slam tournaments, pushing for significant increases in the revenue allocated to all players in the competition.

Comparisons have been made with other sports: for instance, in the NBA, players are guaranteed to receive at least 50% of the league’s total revenue each season. At the French Open, for example, the tournament generated approximately €338 million, but players received only about €53 million in prize money—just 16%, a significantly lower share compared to other sports.

Prize money had already seen substantial improvements in recent years. In 2022, the men's and women's champions received over a 50% increase in total earnings, with prize money rising at every stage, including a 40% boost in first-round payouts.

Grand Slam tournaments distributed a total of $254 million in 2024, nearly a 10% increase from the $231 million awarded in 2023. However, players are once again demanding significant improvements for the roughly 800 competitors who take the court at major tournaments.

According to L’Équipe, all top-20 players from both the ATP and WTA rankings signed the letter. With a few weeks left before the announcement of Roland Garros’ prize money—the next Grand Slam on the calendar—player demands could have a major impact on the upcoming prize pool decision.