Entertainment
Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka write letter demanding more money
A collection of top tennis players have written to Grand Slam chiefs to demand a greater share of revenue by the end of the decade. It is the second letter to be written in a matter of months, with Novak Djokovic among the signatories of another which was sent in April. It called for more prize money and a greater say in what players called ‘decisions that directly impact us’.
The second letter, which has been obtained by the Associated Press, was circulated in July and signed by the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka and Jack Draper. It set out specific benchmarks for ways in which the four Grand Slam tournaments could offer more money and influence to athletes.
The joint letter also stated that players are aiming to rise from the current revenue share of 16 per cent to 22 per cent by 2030. Contributions to pension, health and maternity benefits would go from zero to $12million (£8.9m) annually by that same year.
The players in question are working with former WTA chief executive Larry Scott, who is acting as a consultant. Some players have met with Scott and held discussions with the organisers of the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
All four tournaments were asked to reply to the letter by the end of July and they all did. The response from the USTA, which organises the US Open, was signed by interim chief executive Brian Vahaly and recently-departed tournament director Stacey Allaster.
The USTA wrote: “As you are aware, we have always been willing to increase compensation for players, as evidenced by the 57 per cent growth of the US Open purse over the past five years, particularly when additional collaboration on the part of the players helps to create additional revenue.
“For example, this year’s significant increase in compensation to $90m (£66.8m) reflects the addition of an extra day to the main draw singles competition and the resulting contribution made by players.”
The USTA also underlined their commitment to “engaging in direct, honest and transparent discussions with the players to build a stronger future for the entire tennis ecosystem, including a healthier calendar, enhanced player consultation, and greater financial value for all involved.”
The first letter, which was circulated in March, came shortly after the players’ association co-founded by Djokovic filed an antitrust lawsuit against the WTA and ATP tours, the International Tennis Federation and the sport’s integrity agency in federal court in New York.
It seeks more money for players, claiming that not enough of the revenues end up in the athletes’ hands. It also lays out a series of additional complaints about the way the sport is run.
The filing includes a reference to a report “that the U.S. Open generated more revenue from the sale of one speciality cocktail ($12.8 million) than it paid to the men’s and women’s champions combined.”
Canadian 19-year-old rising starVictoria Mboko overcame world number 68 Cristina Bucsa from Spain 7-5 6-7 (9-11) 6-2 in the Hong Kong final to claim the second WTA title of her career.
Mboko converted her second break point in the sixth game to open up a 5-2 lead in the first set. Bucsa broke straight back at 15 in the ninth game to draw level to 5-5 after Mboko wasted three set points across the eighth and tenth games.
Mboko served out the 11th game with hold at 15 before breaking serve in the 12th game to close out the first set 7-5.
Mboko broke in the second game of the second set and held serve at love to open up a 3-0 lead. Bucsa broke back in the fifth game and held serve in the next game to draw level to 3-3. Bucsa earned her second break in the 11th game, but she failed to serve out for the second set in the 12th game, as Mboko broke straight back to draw level to 6-6. Mboko missed a championships point at 8-7 before Bucsa converted her fourth set point to force the match to the decider.
Mboko earned two breaks in the first and seventh games to close out a one-sided third set 6-2 on the third match point in the eighth game.
Last August Mboko won her first WTA 1000 title at the Canadian Open in Montreal. The Canadian player is set to break inside the top 20 for the first time in her career and reach a career-high by winning the WTA 250 title in Hong Kong.
On Monday, Jannik Sinner will start his second stint on the ATP throne! The Italian claimed his fifth Masters 1000 crown in Paris, earning 1000 ATP points and dethroning his greatest rival, Carlos Alcaraz.
Jannik leads Carlos 250 ATP points on the latest ATP ranking list, although he has to defend 1500 points at the ATP Finals in Turin. The 24-year-old has won 2050 points since Beijing, including three titles.
His latest success came in the French capital following a flawless performance, having beaten five rivals in straight sets en route to the trophy, his 23rd in a career. Sinner did not think about the year-end no. 1 battle with Alcaraz.
However, his latest run keeps him in contention for the ultimate honor, his second in a row after a dominant display in 2024. Jannik will embrace his 66th world no. 1 week on Monday, moving closer to Stefan Edberg’s 72.
The San Candido native has won five ATP titles in 2025, including three notable ones. Sinner went back to the drawing board following the US Open title clash defeat to Alcaraz.
He brought his improvements to the Asian swing and extended his brilliant run on indoor courts to raise above all the rivals and conquer the ATP throne for the second time.
While not playing at his best physically, the Italian still endured all the efforts in Paris and became the fourth player to conquer a notable indoor event without losing a set.
Jannik dismantled injured Alexander Zverev in the semi-final and arranged the title clash against Felix Auger-Aliassime. The Canadian chased his first Masters 1000 crown and fought well in a 6-4, 7-6 defeat.
The Italian provided another indoor masterclass, serving well and maintaining the pressure on the other side. Sinner faced no break points and seized one of six opportunities on the return, missing a chance to move over the top earlier.
Jannik tamed his strokes nicely and forged the upper hand in the more advanced rallies. The Italian will take a well-deserved rest before heading to Turin, hoping to finish the season on a high note and claim another trophy.
Express Sport brings you the latest tennis news from the Paris Masters.
We’re reaching the business end of the Paris Masters, as eight players become four in the French capital. Jannik Sinner is the overwhelming favourite to lift the trophy after Carlos Alcaraz was dumped out by Cameron Norrie in the Spaniard’s opening match. Norrie was then beaten by Valentin Vacherot, whose amazing 10-match winning streak at Masters 1000 level came to an end when he lost to Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Canadian star Auger-Aliassime will face Alexander Bublik in the semis. Bublik defeated Alex de Minaur, who is among those to have already qualified for the year-end ATP Finals. Sinner is through to his first Paris Masters semi-final after beating Ben Shelton. He’ll face defending champion Alexander Zverev, who survived a tough match against Daniil Medvedev.
Novak Djokovic is not involved in the Paris Masters, having decided to skip the event for the second year in a row, but he has learned his fate in the draw of next week’s ATP 250 in Athens. And over in Riyadh, the WTA Finals are about to get underway.
Victoria Mboko beats Cristina Bucsa in Hong Kong to claim her second WTA title
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