The four Grand Slam tournaments are taking a significant step toward giving players a greater say in the future of the sport, announcing Thursday the formation of a Grand Slam Player Advisory Council.
The Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and US Open said the new council will provide a direct channel for communication, feedback and collaboration between players and the sport’s four biggest tournaments.
The council will launch after the 2026 US Open, with its initial composition, framework and operating structure currently being developed with player input. Interested players will be invited to apply, with those selected expected to address the full range of sporting matters affecting the Grand Slams.
Prize money and player welfare on the agenda
The creation of the council could be particularly significant as players have increasingly sought a stronger voice in decisions affecting their careers, including compensation, prize money and player welfare.
According to the Grand Slams, matters affecting all four tournaments collectively will be discussed jointly through the council. However, player welfare and compensation issues, including prize money, will also be discussed with individual Grand Slams because each tournament has its own economic structure, governance and decision-making process.
The announcement comes just as the US Open prepares to stage its 2026 tournament, which will offer a record $108 million in player compensation.
Players welcomed the new initiative, with American stars Ben Shelton and Jessica Pegula among those expressing their support.
“Having a seat at the table with the Grand Slams is something we have wanted for some time,” Shelton said. “It gives us, as players, a real opportunity to have a voice, contribute to the conversation and help shape the tournaments beyond what happens on the court.”
Pegula stressed the enormous importance of the Grand Slams to players’ careers and said that having a say in matters concerning the tournaments is therefore essential.
“The Grand Slams are the biggest events of the year and the events that the players prioritize and focus on throughout the season,” Pegula said. “Their impact on a player’s career cannot be overstated, and that is why it is so important that we have a voice in matters at these tournaments.”
The leaders of the four Grand Slams described the initiative as a way to improve the player experience while strengthening the sport as a whole.
