US Open prize money row rumbles on as Jessica Pegula provides major update

The US Open is set to come under a lot of pressure form the best players in the world with the prize money at Grand Slam level again a huge talking point. While it waits to be released, Jessica Pegula has indicated that no decisions have been made with the possibility of more protests up in the air.

The best tennis players in the world have voiced their concerns over the amount of money being offered at Grand Slam level on a regular basis now. It started with a letter, but now a number of them have mentioned it in interviews while forms of protests have gone on in prior events.

At Roland Garros, players only committed to their media duties for 15 minutes. That was also meant to occur at Wimbledon but they changed their mind as the tournament commenced.

The tension continues to brew heading to the most lucrative Grand Slam on the calendar. Last year, tournament provided $90 million in prize money, with a whopping $5 million of that heading in the direction of eventual winners Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka.

While the prize money for the US Open is normally set by now, the delay could be down to the threat of protests or even boycotts. Players are looking for distribution of $93.5 million at Grand Slams, which in itself is not far off the amount from last year so there is every chance that the US Open meets the demands of the players.

Pegula is currently competing in the Cincinnati Open, and so is many of her rivals who all have Grand Slam glory in New York on their minds. Speaking at the tournament, Pegula updated the situation with the players pondering their next move.

“I think going into the US Open, we’re still waiting on a prize money announcement, so we haven’t really made any big decisions," she confirmed.

“They have definitely come to the table as far as wanting to change some of the stuff that’s been going on. I don’t know how much, how far they’re willing to.”

One of the areas which could be affected by boycotts is the US Open mixed doubles. There is a risk that the event, which is being held in fan's week before the main draw commences, could be skipped by many of the top players in protest in what would be a bitter blow for the tournament and its fans, something they will want to dearly avoid as this conflict drags on into another big event.

For Pegula, all her current focus is being put into the Cincinnati Open. After a disappointing Canadian Open, she is searching for a positive spell to boost her US Open chances. She began with a straight sets win over Simona Waltert before firing past Emma Navarro in the third round. She will take on Sorana Cirstea in the last-16.