Following recent legal actions by the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) challenging the power structures in tennis, a new and separate wave of player activism is gaining momentum—this time led by many of the highest-ranked women on tour.
On March 21, ten of the top eleven women in the WTA rankings, as per rankings from the week of March 3, signed a letter addressed to the directors of all four Grand Slam tournaments. The message, also signed by the top ten men’s players, calls for a greater share of tournament revenue and more say in key decisions affecting their careers.
The letter opens with a request for an in-person meeting at this month’s Madrid Open with Grand Slam leadership: Craig Tiley (Australian Open), Stephane Morel (French Open), Sally Bolton (Wimbledon), and Lew Sherr (US Open). The players emphasize their desire to be included in what they describe as “decisions that directly impact us.”
This move follows—but is separate from—the recent lawsuits filed by the PTPA and 22 professional players against the ATP, WTA, ITF, and ITIA, which allege anti-competitive behavior and monopolistic control of the sport. Although Sabalenka was not involved in those lawsuits, she publicly supported the push for a fairer distribution of earnings—and now, she’s also taking part in a collective demand for change.
Who signed the letter?
Among the WTA stars:
- Aryna Sabalenka
- Coco Gauff
- Iga Swiatek
- Jessica Pegula
- Madison Keys
- Jasmine Paolini
- Emma Navarro
- Zheng Qinwen
- Paula Badosa
- Mirra Andreeva
Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, ranked 7th on March 3, is the only notable absence.
From the ATP:
- Jannik Sinner (currently serving a three-month doping ban)
- Novak Djokovic
- Alexander Zverev
- Carlos Alcaraz
- Taylor Fritz
- Casper Ruud
- Daniil Medvedev
- Andrey Rublev
- Stefanos Tsitsipas
- Alex de Minaur
(source: ESPN)
I don’t know the politics of the WTA and ATP but the top players earn more money ready than the average person could dream of. Seems a bit ridiculous that they are demanding more.
CLT, you’re right that top players earn more than most people could ever imagine, no doubt. But the push for more prize money isn’t about personal greed—it’s about fairer revenue sharing and improving the situation for all players, not just the stars.
For example, tournaments like the US Open generate hundreds of millions, yet only around 15% of that goes to players. In other pro sports like the NBA or NFL, players get closer to 50% of league revenues. Tennis players don’t have guaranteed salaries or team support—they pay their own way: coaches, travel, physios, etc.
So while yes, the stars are millionaires, they’re often the ones with enough influence to advocate for changes that would benefit lower-ranked players, many of whom lose money just trying to compete.
It’s not a perfect system, but it’s not just about the Top 10 wanting an extra yacht—it’s about making tennis more sustainable across the board.