Sinner demands ‘respect’ from Grand Slams in prize money row

Jannik Sinner called on Thursday for Grand Slam tournaments to show tennis players respect in a row over prize money, but stopped short of calling for a boycott of the sport’s major events.

Last year almost all the leading players signed two letters to the four Grand Slam bosses demanding an increase in prize money, payments into a player welfare fund to improve retirement and maternity benefits, as well as involvement in decisions that affected them.

The letters set a target of a 22-percent share in tournament revenue, which would bring the majors in line with the nine combined 1000-level events run by the ATP men’s tour and the women’s WTA tour.

But Sinner told reporters at the Italian Open in Rome that the players were no nearer an agreement with the organisers of Wimbledon and the French, US and Australian Opens.

“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 number one Aryna Sabalenka said that she was ready to boycott the Grand Slams in order for the players to force organisers’ hands.

Those comments came after players said in a statement that last month’s announcement by the French Open of a 9.5-percent prize money rise was not good enough.

It said that a 14-percent increase in revenue last year only led to the total prize purse going up by 5.4 percent, reducing the players’ share to 14.3 percent.

Sinner coyly suggested he may back players pulling out of Grand Slam tournaments in the future.

“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 begin his bid for a record-extending sixth consecutive Master 1000 title against one of Sebastian Ofner or Alex Michelsen on Saturday.

The Italian, a four-time Grand Slam winner, is on a 23-match winning streak and is red-hot favourite for singles victory in front of his home fans, with rival Carlos Alcaraz injured.

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