Turmoil in the tennis scene. © APA/afp / YUICHI YAMAZAKI

Big money: There is turmoil in the tennis scene

Money is once again causing a stir in the tennis world. Are the stars' demands justified?

24 April 2025

From: dpa/det

In Munich, top German star Alexander Zverev is beaming with his luxury car and winner's check. In Stuttgart, Latvian powerhouse Jelena Ostapenko is rolling across Center Court in her winning car. The scene has been glamorous in recent days, and they give no indication of the turmoil in the tennis world. The topic is a dispute over big money.

Like the French The Team As recently reported, representatives of the top players in the women's and men's world rankings have written a letter to the four Grand Slam tournaments, demanding a significant increase in prize money from the organizers of the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open.

“We bring the show.” Aryna Sabalenka

World number one Aryna Sabalenka declared in Stuttgart that she supports this demand. "I think we deserve to get a slightly larger share," said the 26-year-old from Belarus. "I think all of us, the top players, all the players, we bring the show. I think we deserve to be paid a little more."

It's the next big controversy in tennis. Just a short time ago, the Tennis Players' Association (PTPA), co-founded by superstar Novak Djokovic, raised serious allegations against the leading tennis organizations and initiated legal action worldwide. One of the central complaints is excessive workload.

Strong words meet with criticism

"Tennis is broken," said PTPA Director General Ahmad Nassar in strong terms. "Behind the glamorous facade presented by the defendants, the players are trapped in an unfair system that exploits their talent, depresses their income, and endangers their health and safety." Even though some stars have distanced themselves from the players' union and the lawsuit has been fiercely criticized, the issue is still causing unrest.

Djokovic's union criticizes harshly. © APA / AL BELLO

"I have nothing to do with the PTPA. But of course it's an issue. The ATP has a huge lawsuit on its hands," Zverev said of the men's professional tennis organization, the ATP. "It will remain a huge issue until the proceedings are over, and who knows how long that will take."

Is the claim justified?

Zverev has also understandably complained that the season is too long. However, the prize money controversy may be particularly irritating. Grand Slam events repeatedly announce that prize money is increasing, setting new records.

The professionals argue that their share of the revenue from major Grand Slam events is too small. At the US Open, for example, revenue amounts to over $500 million, and the prize money for the players is $75 million.

Aryna Sabalenka is one of the best players on the planet. © AFP / MARTIN KEEP

"If we compare tennis to other sports, the difference in the percentage we receive compared to the NHL or NBA and the other sports is enormous," Sabalenka said. "I would say we definitely deserve a higher percentage."

Gauff is the top earner in sports

At the Australian Open in late January, champions Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys each pocketed bonuses equivalent to €2,11 million. The first-round losers left with more than €70.000. The earnings in tennis are particularly exceptional in women's sports.

Superstar Coco Gauff. © APA/afp / THOMAS KIENZLE

In 2024, seven female tennis players made the top ten of Forbes' list of the highest-earning female athletes. American Coco Gauff topped the rankings, ahead of Poland's Iga Swiatek. However, women are still far from equal pay in tennis, except at Grand Slam tournaments.

In Munich, Zverev received the equivalent of more than 400.000 euros, more than three times what Ostapenko received as the winner in Stuttgart (around 125.000 euros). Both tournaments are in the 500-euro category.

Financially difficult for back-row professionals

These differences are also an important aspect, says Jule Niemeier. The Dortmund native hopes "that the prize money will not only be increased, but that it will be distributed more evenly." "I believe that the top players earn a lot of money, there's no question about that," said the 25-year-old.

Second-tier professionals and those just entering the Grand Slam qualifying round have a tough time. It's very difficult "to come out with a real advantage," Niemeier explained. "Because, of course, you also want to have a professional environment, you want to travel with a coach, you might want to bring a physiotherapist along here and there," she enumerated, "because the game is becoming increasingly intense, and that's only possible if the prize money is increased."