Elite athletes like Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, and Alexander Zverev, representing the top 20 male and female competitors, are petitioning the four major tournaments for all participants to receive a greater share of prize money relative to the events’ total earnings.
This collective also seeks increased engagement in discussions regarding the sport’s organizational framework, coupled with larger financial contributions from the Grand Slams towards retirement, medical, and parental support funds.
Even though Tennis Australia’s financial statements for 2025 have not yet been disclosed, the Australian Financial Review indicated, external that the governing body – which largely generates its income from the Australian Open – accumulated $697.2 million (£346 million) in overall revenue.
Based on that figure, the prize fund for this year’s Australian Open constitutes approximately 16% of the managing organization’s total income.
In 2025, the US Open allocated 16% of its previous year’s revenue to competitors, while Wimbledon (at 13%) and the French Open – which does not publish its financial details – offered a smaller proportion.
The prominent players have requested a gradual increment from each Grand Slam over the forthcoming five-year period, aiming to approach the 22% threshold that players currently receive at certain joint ATP and WTA tour competitions.
The boost in the overall prize fund this year signifies that the Australian Open is distributing more than what Wimbledon (£53.5 million) and the French Open (£47.5 million) offered in 2025, though it continues to lag behind the US Open (£67.4 million).
The Australian Open tournament is scheduled to commence in Melbourne on January 18.
