Wimbledon: Tennis stars protest low prize money with limited media appearances

Several top tennis players are planning a protest at Wimbledon, aiming to draw attention to their demands for higher prize money. In the first week of the prestigious Grand Slam tournament, prominent players intend to restrict their media obligations to just 15 minutes, a significant reduction from their usual commitments.

This coordinated action is a response to the prize money distribution, which players argue does not adequately reflect the tournament's revenue. While the overall prize fund has increased by 20% to £64.2 million (approximately €74.3 million) this year, players are seeking a larger share, specifically 16% of the total tournament income.

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For us, it is clear that the players will continue to share in the success of Wimbledon as the tournament grows.

The All England Lawn Tennis Club, the organizing body for Wimbledon, expressed surprise and disappointment at the players' planned protest. In a statement, the club emphasized its commitment to players, stating they are central to all decisions and receive significant annual investment. They also affirmed that players will continue to benefit from Wimbledon's growth.

Players argue that the 15-minute media limit highlights their concern that Wimbledon currently pays out slightly less than 15% of its revenue as prize money. For the first round, players will receive £80,000 (nearly €93,000), with the champion taking home £3.6 million (€4.17 million). World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has been a vocal advocate, emphasizing that the protest is not just for top players but also for those ranked lower who struggle financially and are working to return from injuries.

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It is about the players who are lower down in the rankings, who are struggling, who are coming back from injuries. I think we need to stand up for them.