Elena Rybakina reportedly only player not to sign bombshell Grand Slam prize money letter

Saturday, 05 April 2025 at 12:15

Earlier this week it was confirmed that the top 20 players in ATP and WTA had signed a letter to the heads of the four Grand Slam tournaments but there was a glaring omission as per AP who did not sign it being Elena Rybakina.

The letter a copy which was obtained by AP on Thursday with details circulating as a result said that a request for an in-person meeting was given at this month's Madrid Open between representatives of the players and the four people to whom it was addressed. Those being the heads of Wimbledon, Roland Garros, US Open and Australian Open.

There are handwritten signatures of 10 out of the top 11 women of the rankings that week albeit Rybakina who was in the top five and not like now where she is on the verge of a top 10 exit is not there.

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Aryna Sabalenka, Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Jasmine Paolini, Emma Navarro, Zheng Qinwen, Paula Badosa and Mirra Andreeva are the names listed by AP. @sebsharfam2 on Twitter banded around the potential theory that with Rybakina's agent leaving and Vukov appearing to take that role she couldn't be contacted.

Or of course she didn't sign it at all giving undisclosed reasons for doing so. Jannik Sinner, Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alex de Minaur were the men to sign the letter.

What comes of it remains to be seen. But alongside the PTPA lawsuit, it is a bit of a crescendo at the minute in the ATP and WTA spheres on the current state of prize money and player benefits.

They focus on there facets in the letter in Grand Slam tournaments should make financial contributions to player welfare programs funded by the two pro tours.

As well as Prize money should increase “to a more appropriate percentage of tournament revenues, reflective of the players’ contribution to tournament value.”

Finally the athletes should have more say in decisions “directly impacting competition, as well as player health and welfare.”

Earlier this week, we learned that 20 players wrote to the 4 GS for more money repartitions.

Top 10 ATP
Top 11 WTA
Signed
Except...Rybakina

Wondering why?
Not agree with the idea ?
Nobody reached her for that ?
Myself i have a idea... pic.twitter.com/sMJHHkLxsL
— Sebastien G. (@sebsharfam2) April 4, 2025

Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief

Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.

Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.

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