Top tennis players have ended the public phase of their prize money campaign after securing significant financial gains and establishing a direct negotiation channel with tournament organizers, according to a statement released by player representatives. The campaign, which included player protests and boycott threats at major tournaments, resulted in prize pools growing to $415.6 million across upcoming Grand Slam events.
The Grand Slam Player Advisory Council Established
The Grand Slam Player Advisory Council was initially announced by the four tournaments. “Now that a formal council exists to carry this work forward, the public phase of the campaign led by the unified group of top players comes to a close,” the players’ statement said, as reported by the Associated Press.
The newly established council allows players to be directly consulted and negotiate on an ongoing basis regarding compensation, representation, health options, and pensions. However, the players’ statement noted that participants “reserve the right to re-start the campaign should the council fail to deliver on these aims.” The Australian Open, French Open, and U.S. Open are operated by nonprofit governing bodies, while Wimbledon is run by the private All England Club.
Revenue Growth and Incremental Gains
Since submitting a formal proposal on July 31, 2025, players pushed for a 22% share of tournament revenues. While the Grand Slams have not yet reached that specific figure or committed to formal revenue-sharing agreements, prize money has increased significantly beyond long-term historical trends over the preceding 18 months, according to player estimates.
Total prize money across the 2025 and 2026 U.S. Open tournaments alongside the 2026 editions of the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and Roland Garros has reached $415.6 million. Players estimate that more than $30 million of that total represents incremental gains above the normal rate of growth seen prior to the launch of the campaign.
Protests and Boycott Threats Preceding the Agreement
During the French Open and Wimbledon, several stars limited their media appearances as a form of protest. High-profile competitors including Aryna Sabalehnka and Coco Gauff went further, threatening a potential boycott of the Slams before competition commenced in Paris if compensation did not increase, according to the Associated Press.