Grand Slams finally respond to prize money row with major new move involving players

Developments in the Grand Slam prize money debacle have taken place with the four major events in agreement over establishing a formal Player Advisory Council as they look to close the page on this difficult period.

The top players in the world on the ATP and WTA Tour have been pushing the four Grand Slam events to boost its prize pot and offer out more of its revenue to the players. This is back in the headlines with the US Open next in line to be tested after the competitions in Melbourne, Paris and London all faced fierce criticism.

This has come from the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff to name a few. All with the same motive of demanding a greater share of tournaments revenue. This is all part of a greater scheme that will see the players benefit in terms of welfare and representation.

According to the Guardian, there is an understanding between the four Grand Slam tournaments to create this Player Advisory Council in a bid to abruptly halt this chapter and move on with all parties satisfied. It could be confirmed very soon with the US Open prize money set to also be released in the coming days. There are reports that it will top the $100m (£74m) for the very first time. Already the most lucrative Grand Slam, last year’s winners Alcaraz and Sabalenka took home $5 million for winning the title in New York.

The threat of protests and boycotts are becoming louder and clearer in each day that passes without a solution. The players are becoming impatient with the stubborn organisers who, despite putting more money in the prize pot, have not reached or exceeded the intended targets the players have put forward.

At Roland Garros, the players took action. A number of them shortened their media duties to 15 minutes, resembling the 15% of revenue the Grand Slams allocate to prize money. They intended to do similar at Wimbledon, but nothing came about.

The US Open is the next tournament that could be targeted. The US Open mixed doubles event was an obvious one for the players to focus on, possibly even boycotting it, although those rumours and speculations have died down. However, another media protest could occur.

The players are demanding that the slams match the ATP and WTA tours in allocating 22% of their revenues to prize money. Wimbledon failed in this task, boosting its prize pot to £64.2m. While this was its highest ever, it was just 14.4% of the total money made at the championships.

Former Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley, who is set to cover his first US Open as the CEO of the USTA, will hope to clamp down on any signs of pressure in a bid to solve these issues. the US Open singles main draw will commence at Flushing Meadows from August 30 - September 13 with the mixed doubles event taking place between August 24-26 in fan week.