"The players are not happy with it": WTA stars push Grand Slams for negotiation as Swiatek and Sabalenka join the call

The WTA stars have urged the Grand Slams to engage in negotiations and reconsider their proposals regarding revenue sharing, player welfare, and other issues. The stars of the women's tour – including big stars as Aryna Sbalekna, Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula - expect the Major tournaments to include them in discussions about changes that might directly affect them, and they have already sent letters requesting negotiations.

According to recent details from AFP, players from the ATP and WTA have united through representatives to converse with the Grand Slam tournaments. A first meeting took place in Paris during Roland Garros in May of this year. The group of player representatives reportedly includes some of the most high-profile names today, including Aryna Sabalenka, Jannik Sinner, Coco Gauff, Casper Ruud, Madison Keys, and Alex de Minaur.

At the meeting in Paris, the players made initial overtures, while a new meeting was held weeks later at Wimbledon, with the participation of former WTA CEO Larry Scott, who has acted as an advisor for the players' representation.

AFP reported that communication stalled during the European summer when the Grand Slams informed the players that they would have to postpone conversations and analyze the proposals at a later date, as priority would be given to resolving other matters. These include the lawsuit filed against them by the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA)—founded by Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil—who sued all tennis bodies, citing 'abusive practices,' an 'unsustainable' calendar, and a lack of interest in the players and their health status.

While the WTA Finals are underway, the meetings between the players and the Grand Slam tournaments were a topic of discussion. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka referred to the players' request: "I think it's the time right now to sit at a table and come to a conclusion that everyone will be happy with."

World No. 2 Iga Swiatek was another player who commented on the talks between the players and the Grand Slams, explaining that the players' representation seeks to go beyond monetary issues: "For sure it would be great if the Grand Slams wanted to talk to us, because that's how it's supposed to be and I don't really get why there's no more open conversation," Swiatek said from Riyadh. "It's not only about prize money, but also about the pension, the health plan and just having more smooth cooperation and communication in the future. So I think for sure it's a setback and for sure the players are not happy with it."

World No. 5 Jessica Pegula, who is part of the WTA Players’ Council board, affirmed that players are seeking changes to the tennis ecosystem and commodities that benefit not only high-profile players. "We're just trying to be a united voice," said the American. "I think it's the first time we've actually been able to come together with both tours. And so that's a testament to just everybody being really open-minded and wanting to come together on making our sport better and better for the players."

Pegula felt the Majors were 'not responding' so far. "That's kind of our problem. So I think we'll just keep using our voices to speak out and see if we can come to the table with them. I think the ball is a little bit in their court right now."

Currently, according to PTPA calculations, only between 13% and 15% of Grand Slam tournament revenues are allocated to prize money. According to AFP—which had access to the players' letters—the proposal is to reach 22%, taking as reference other sports, such as the NBA or NFL, where players are estimated to receive around 50% of revenues.