CARLOS ALCARAZ and Jannik Sinner are among a host of top tennis stars demanding more cash on the ATP and WTA World Tours.
The current world No1 and No2 have both signed a letter written to Grand Slam chiefs asking for an even bigger share of revenues.
According to AP, Alcaraz and Sinner are joined by Jack Draper and women’s aces Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek in pushing for a six per cent rise in money from the four biggest tournaments of the calendar.
Novak Djokovic, who signed a first letter sent off earlier this year, is not included on the second one.
The current prize pot is 16 per cent but players are asking for 22 per cent, as well as pension contributions and additional health and maternity benefits.
Prize money for Grand Slam tournaments exceeded £325million in 2025 and could rise to £370million by 2030.
The US Tennis Association (USTA), which runs the US Open, responded to the letter, dated August 18.
Interim co-chief executive Brian Vahaly and recently-departed Stacey Allaster saying: “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 $90million [£67m] reflects the addition of an extra day to the main draw singles competition and the resulting contribution made by players.”
The USTA added they were committed 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.”
Alcaraz and Sabalenka both received over £5.5m for winning the tournament last month, the highest figure for champions yet.
The first letter, sent in March, followed Djokovic’s antitrust lawsuit against the ATP, WTA, International Tennis Federation (ITF), and the sport’s integrity agency.
As the co-founder of the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA), Djokovic was seeking more money for players and complaining about how the sport is run.
The PTPA referenced: “that the US Open generated more revenue from the sale of one speciality cocktail (£9.5m) than it paid to the men’s and women’s champions combined.”
Less than two months later the WTA and ATP Tours filed to dismiss the case.
The PTPA said: “This is a necessary next step to guarantee accountability from all parties.
It added that the aim was to: “Accelerate long-overdue reform across the entire tennis ecosystem.”
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