Home / Sports / Tennis Stars Threaten US Open Protest Over Pay
Tennis Stars Threaten US Open Protest Over Pay
19 Aug
Summary
- Players demand 22% of Grand Slam revenue for prize money.
- US Open prize money announcement delayed amid player pressure.
- Past media protests at French Open highlight pay dispute.
The US Open is facing potential player protests as athletes demand a greater share of tournament revenue. Top players are pushing for 22% of the Grand Slam's total revenue as prize money, a significant increase from the typical 15%.
Discussions are ongoing, with players like Jessica Pegula expressing that communication with the US Open has been open, but decisions on prize money are still pending. This contrasts with previous years, where the US Open announced its prize pool by early August.
Recent actions at other Grand Slams foreshadow the current tension. A media protest was staged at the French Open, and a similar boycott was narrowly avoided at Wimbledon after player-athlete discussions.
While the US Open has historically offered the highest prize pools, its revenue generation also leads to player demands for a larger percentage. The delayed announcement suggests the USTA is carefully considering the players' ongoing concerns.
