Aryna Sabalenka calls on tennis stars to boycott Wimbledon and other grand slams if prize pots are not increased
Aryna Sabalenka has called on tennis stars to boycott upcoming Grand Slams if their financial demands are not met.
The world number one's comments come after a coalition of 20 elite players, featuring both Sabalenka and men's top-ranked Jannik Sinner, published a statement on Sunday evening voicing their "deep disappointment" regarding prize money arrangements at the upcoming French Open.
The players say that prize money at Roland Garros this year will constitute less than 15 per cent of the tournament's total revenue, falling significantly short of the 22 per cent share they are seeking.
Speaking to journalists in Rome before the Italian Open, Sabalenka made clear her view that players are the central attraction of the sport.
She said: "I feel like the show is on us. I feel like without us there wouldn't be a tournament and there wouldn't be that entertainment.
"I feel like definitely we deserve to be paid more percentage. What can I say?
"I just really hope that all of the negotiation that we are having, we at some point are going to get to the right decision, to the conclusion that everyone will be happy with."
When questioned if players could boycott tournaments, Sabalenka said: "I think at some point we will boycott it.
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"I feel like that's going to be the only way to kind of fight for our rights."
World number three Iga Swiatek echoed parts of her colleague's points, saying: "I think we've been pretty reasonable in terms of our proposal and getting the fair share of revenue.
"I think the increase of prize money is not exactly what we wanted because the percentage of revenue is going down."
However, the suggestion of a boycott from the Belarusian was "a bit extreme" for Swiatek.
Sabalenka has threatened to boycott competitions in the past, suggesting in March that she may never return to the Dubai Tennis Championship.
The 27-year-old withdrew late from the event, prompting a furious response from director Salah Tahlak, sparking a war of words between the pair.
Sabalenka made clear she was deeply unimpressed by his reaction, stating: "I'm not sure if I ever want to go there after his comment. For me it's too much."
The dispute centred on Tahlak's demand for stricter penalties against players who pull out of tournaments at short notice.
Tahlak argued that late withdrawals should carry more severe consequences for players than currently exist under tour regulations.
He said: "There should be a harsher punishment on the players. Not just fines, they should be docked ranking points."
Sabalenka hit back forcefully at the tournament director's stance, accusing him of failing to support players.
"It's ridiculous. I don't think he showed himself in the best way possible," she said.
She accused organisers of the Dubai Tennis Championship of being motivated purely by commercial interests rather than the wellbeing of competitors.
"They just care about their sales, about their tournament and that's it. His comment was ridiculous," she stated.
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