Aryna Sabalenka shared her opinion on the Professional Tennis Players Association's (PTPA) lawsuit against tennis’ major institutions. The World No. 1 admitted she hasn’t delved too deeply into the petition to avoid distractions during the tournament but made a statement regarding her stance on the PTPA’s position.
The three-time Grand Slam champion cruised past Victoria Tomova 6-3, 6-0 in her opening match at the Miami Open, advancing to the Round of 32 without much trouble. During her post-match press conference, one of the topics discussed was her view on the PTPA initiative.
In the lawsuit filed against the ATP, WTA, ITF, and ITIA, the player union led by Novak Djokovic claims that the practices of these long-standing governing bodies have not only harmed players but also fans and the overall growth of the sport.
Their goals include reducing the hectic tournament calendar, tackling match-fixing more effectively, and increasing player earnings, among other things. “Honestly, I haven’t had much time to look into the information because I didn’t want to dive into it,” Sabalenka stated.
“I wanted to stay focused on my game and not get angry or anything else regarding this topic,” she added. “One thing I would like to see is that all players, not just WTA players, receive a higher percentage of the money they earn in tournaments, especially in Grand Slams.”
The World No. 1 stressed the importance of improving the current system under which the ATP and WTA Tours operate. “I think it’s fair. If you look at other sports, the percentage works a bit differently, so that’s the only wish I have."