Emma Navarro says players’ demand for more prize money at Majors is about fair treatment

Charleston – American Emma Navarro said she had put her name to a letter signed by the world’s top tennis players calling for significant improvements in prize money at the four Grand Slams as a way to ensure players receive equal treatment.

French outlet L’Equipe reported late on April 2 that the top 20 ATP and WTA players had sent the letter to the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open recently, demanding a more equitable distribution of revenues.

While those at top of the game are able to benefit from increased prize money, players at the lower levels often struggle due to a lack of steady sponsorship as well as expensive coaching, travel and accommodation.

“I talked a little bit to the other players about it and felt like it was a good idea to sign,” the world No. 11 told reporters at the Charleston Open on April 2.

“I think there have been some sort of unfair pay ratios – I don’t know the correct terminology – but in the past.

“I think it’s a good cause to come together as players and make sure we’re getting treated fairly.”

Reuters has contacted the four Grand Slams seeking comment.

In 2024, a record US$254 million (S$340 million) in player compensation was awarded at the Grand Slams, up US$23 million from 2023, and the trend is set to continue with the Australian Open in January boosting prize money by 11.6 per cent from 2024.

At Melbourne Park in 2025, the champions collected nearly US$2.2 million, while players going out in the first round picked up around US$83,000.

World No. 8 Zheng Qinwen told reporters more money from the Grand Slams would filter down to the lower ranks.

“I think that’s going to benefit all the players, not only the top players, especially those that work hard during the year and need to get paid from the Grand Slams and have to survive,” she added.

Zheng said tennis should follow the example of the National Basketball Association, where players earn in aggregate around 50 per cent of basketball-related income.

“That’s really positive, because if you look at basketball, they all get paid 50-50. The players, we’re working really hard, because I’m a tennis player I know how much I’ve worked to arrive here,” added the Olympic champion.

Zheng said she was unsure if the Grand Slams would listen to the demands of the players.

“We try to do what we can, and then let’s see what the gods brings to us. But at least we’re trying.”

Meanwhile, world No. 2 Iga Swiatek has pulled out of the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup qualifying tournament in her home country of Poland, she said on social media on April 2.

The 23-year-old said that she needed more time to focus on herself and would not be playing for the national team against Switzerland and Ukraine from April 10 to 12 in Radom. Briton Emma Raducanu has also pulled out.

In men’s tennis, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner’s former physical trainer Umberto Ferrara said on April 2 that he was blameless in the case of the three-time Grand Slam champion testing positive twice for a banned substance.

Sinner received a three-month ban agreed with the World Anti-Doping Agency in February after “admitting “partial responsibility” for team mistakes.

Ferrara, in his first public remarks on the scandal, laid the blame squarely at the door of Sinner’s former physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi. Both of them have been laid off by the 23-year-old since the affair came to light.

Ferrara told Gazzetta dello Sport that he had used the spray himself for years after it was prescribed by a doctor for an illness. “I was perfectly aware that it was banned so I always kept it safely stashed away in my wash bag,” he said.

“I suggested to Naldi to use it for a cut which had not healed and was affecting his work.

“I was absolutely clear when I spoke to him about the nature of the product and it was imperative it never came into contact with Jannik.

“In effect I told him to use it only in my bathroom. Naldi did not deny he had been told, but he said he could not recall.”

Ferrara said he did not know Naldi had been gloveless and also not washed his hands after using the spray when he treated Sinner, especially after “the warnings he had given him”. REUTERS, AFP