Coco Gauff, alongside several other tennis stars, including Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton, has called attention to the rising tensions between tennis players and Grand Slam governing bodies. The players have been facing resistance from the four events on their demand for a greater revenue share.
Coco Gauff, Jannik Sinner, Ben Shelton Reacted to the Grand Slam Controversy Being Exposed
A year ago, in March 2025, Gauff, Sinner, Iga Świątek, Jessica Pegula, Alexander Zverev, and other top players signed a letter urging the four Majors to increase the percentage of revenue split. Besides this demand, the players asked the Grand Slams to invest in welfare programs and demanded a seat at the table while calling the shots.
Recently, a social media account called SportsBall shared a detailed explanation, bringing the issue to the forefront. Players did not shy away from the topic and took a public stand by supporting the exposure. Sinner and Shelton shared the video while Gauff, Bianca Andreescu, Aryna Sabalenka, and Daniil Medvedev applauded the insightful content.
“Perfectly explained,” Pegula wrote on Instagram.
“Very well explained,” Felix Auger-Aliassime echoed.
Doubles specialist Gabriela Dabrowski wrote, “Thank you for sharing this!! Super important graphic/explanation that provides clarity as to why players (across rankings) have been pushing for improved payouts/partnership with the Slams for years now.”
Sinner and Gauff Were Clear About Their Opinion on the Ongoing Conflict
The ATP and the WTA, separate from the Grand Slams, offer players between 22% and 26% of their revenue as prize money and pensions. The Majors, meanwhile, allocate between 12% and 15% of their revenue to players. Considering the significant discrepancy, players have demanded a prompt increase in the share to 16% across the four events, with the aim to reach 22% by 2030.
After their first letter in March last year, players and the governing bodies conducted private meetings. While players were hopeful of a positive outcome, the discussion seemingly stalled, forcing them to send a second letter.
In October 2025, Sinner shed light on the rising tensions: “We had good conversations with the Grand Slams at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, so it was disappointing when they said they cannot act on our proposals until other issues are resolved,” he told The Guardian. “Calendar and scheduling are important topics, but there is nothing stopping the slams from addressing player welfare benefits like pensions and healthcare right now.”
Gauff, meanwhile, explained why the top players signed the letters on behalf of the athletes. “The top 10 signed a letter as a representation of the entire tour, within the top 200 or top 300, I would say. Unfortunately, it’s like that: the top players, you can put more pressure. I think the biggest message is not just to benefit us; it’s to benefit all the players,” she said in a 2025 press conference.
At this year’s Australian Open, the American expressed her dissatisfaction about the slow progress. “There have been advancements, and we appreciate them, but it’s still not enough. I believe there will be more meetings. No one wants this debate to drag on for years.”
It should be noted that the players boycotted the most recent meeting, which was scheduled for March 2026 in Indian Wells. They accused the Grand Slams of failing to “provide substantive responses” to the specific proposals that were put forward.
