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Lastest News Nigeria, Politics, Business, Sport, Interview
Wimbledon organisers have expressed frustration after learning that several leading players intend to continue their prize money protest during this year’s Championships despite a significant increase in tournament rewards.
Earlier this month, the All England Club announced a record prize fund of £64.2 million, representing a 20% rise from last year. However, the figure remains below the £70 million sought by players, who want a larger share of the revenue generated by the sport’s four Grand Slam tournaments.
The dispute centres on how tournament earnings are distributed. Players argue that Grand Slam prize money should better reflect the percentage of revenue they receive at ATP and WTA Tour events. During the French Open, several top stars highlighted their concerns by limiting pre-tournament media appearances to just 15 minutes.
Responding to the planned action, the All England Club stressed that players remain a priority. Officials pointed to substantial annual investment in competitors, including hundreds of millions of pounds spent on upgrading facilities as part of a three-year project designed to create a world-class performance environment.
The club also defended its financial model. While Wimbledon prize money accounts for roughly 15% of tournament revenue, representatives of leading players, led by former WTA chief executive Larry Scott, have requested a minimum share of 16%.
Wimbledon chair Debbie Jevans recently rejected the idea that revenue alone should determine prize money levels. She noted that Wimbledon operates as a not-for-profit organisation and returns around 90% of its surplus to support British tennis.
Despite ongoing discussions, players appear ready to maintain their campaign. Reports suggest competitors will again restrict media sessions to 15 minutes before the tournament and during the opening week. The symbolic limit reflects the 15% share of revenue currently allocated to Wimbledon prize money, keeping the issue firmly in the spotlight.
