“If you see how much the players were getting 15 years ago...”: Rafael Nadal gives his view on tennis prize money debate

Friday, 17 July 2026 at 01:00

Rafael Nadal has weighed in on one of the biggest discussions currently surrounding professional tennis, arguing that players and Grand Slam organizers need to find a long-term agreement over prize money distribution.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion addressed the topic during a recent interview with CNBC, offering a different perspective on the ongoing debate between players and tournaments.

The conversation comes after several top players, including Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, took part in boycott actions during the French Open and Wimbledon, limiting their press conference commitments to a maximum of 15 minutes while pushing for changes regarding prize money distribution.

Wimbledon increased its total prize fund to £64.2 million ($85 million) in 2026, representing the biggest annual increase in the tournament’s history, although players had pushed for a larger share linked directly to tournament revenue.

Nadal calls for a long-term agreement between players and Grand Slams

Nadal acknowledged the concerns from players but also highlighted the investment required from tournament organizers to stage major events. According to the former world No. 1, the discussion needs to move toward a structured agreement that provides stability for both sides rather than repeated disputes.

“If you see how much the players were getting 15 years ago, and the amount of prize money that they are getting today, you see that the average increase is way over the average of any job in this world,” Nadal told CNBC.

The Spaniard added that the best solution would be reaching a fixed agreement between players and Grand Slam tournaments, creating a clearer system for future prize money increases.

“Find a deal with that, and you stay with that, and the Grand Slams commit that they have to increase the prize money a percentage per year, fair enough for the players, fair enough for the tournament,” Nadal said. “Sign this deal for 10 years, so we have 10 years of calm."

Nadal poses with the 2022 Roland Garros trophy after defeating Ruud in straight sets

Rafael Nadal won 22 Grand Slam titles during his career.

Sabalenka and Sinner enter the debate for prize money

The prize money debate became one of the main stories surrounding this summer in roland Garros and Wimbledon, after players discussed taking collective action to demand a bigger share of Grand Slam revenues. The movement was led by concerns that, despite record tournament revenues, many lower-ranked players continue to struggle financially due to travel expenses, coaching costs and the demands of life on tour.

Sabalenka, the current world No. 1, supported the push for change while emphasizing that the goal was not only to benefit the sport’s biggest stars. “It’s a great start they raise the prize money. It’s an amazing start,” Sabalenka said during Wimbledon. “If you look over the last 10 years, if you compare the prize money to 2016, it’s kind of like the same (as a percentage) because it went down.”

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The four-time Grand Slam champion added that players were fighting for broader improvements across the tour. “We do it for the Tour, we don’t do it for ourselves. We do it for the rest of the players who are suffering to even hire a coach. It’s not an easy life for lower-ranked players,” Sabalenka said.

Male world No. 1 Jannik Sinner also acknowledged the players’ frustrations, saying the discussion was necessary after years without a definitive solution. “I do understand players talking about boycott because it’s somewhere we also need to start,” the Italian said. “And now it has been a very long time with this. And then we see in the future.”

“It’s not nice that after one year we are not even close to a conclusion of what we would like to have,” the 4-time Grand Slam champion added. “And talking in other sports, if top athletes send important letters, I truly believe that within 48 hours you have not only a response, but also a meeting.”

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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