World No. 1 tennis player Jannik Sinner said he is not ruling out a boycott of Grand Slam tournaments over a prize-money dispute.
The potential absence of the top-ranked male player from the majors would signal a crisis in the relationship between elite athletes and the sport's governing bodies. A boycott could disrupt the commercial viability of the most prestigious events in tennis and force a renegotiation of how tournament revenues are distributed.
Sinner said the comments on Thursday during the Italian Open in Rome, an event that runs until 17 May 2026 [1]. He said the dispute is centered on a perceived lack of respect from the majors, specifically regarding the failure to increase prize money or share a larger portion of tournament revenues with the athletes.
"It’s more about respect, you know? Because I think we give much more than what we are getting back," Sinner said.
He said players are not receiving the respect they deserve. The sentiment is shared by other top stars, including Aryna Sabalenka. Novak Djokovic also said he is lending his support to the players.
The tension stems from a belief among the players that the financial rewards do not reflect the value they bring to the tournaments. While the Grand Slams generate massive global revenue, the players argue that the distribution model remains outdated, and unfair to the competitors who drive the viewership and ticket sales.
“"It’s more about respect, you know? Because I think we give much more than what we are getting back."”
This escalating conflict represents a shift in player power, where top-tier stars are leveraging their individual brands against the institutional prestige of the Grand Slams. If Sinner and Djokovic successfully organize a collective action, it could lead to a fundamental restructuring of tennis's economic model, similar to how professional leagues in the U.S. operate with collective bargaining agreements.
