Prize Money Row Spills Over to US Open as Players Keep Protest Alive After Wimbledon Hike

Top tennis players are preparing to extend their ongoing dispute over prize money into the US Open , even as Wimbledon’s 20 percent increase in payouts has been welcomed by some but seen as insufficient to end the broader protest.

World number four Jessica Pegula said the initial protest during the French Open had been “productive,” noting that it appeared to have influenced Wimbledon’s decision to raise its prize pool significantly. However, she stressed that the core concerns of players remain unresolved .

At Wimbledon, the total prize money, including player per diems, has risen to about 64.2 million pounds , marking the biggest year on year increase in the tournament’s history. The singles champions will now earn around 3.6 million pounds each , reflecting a 20 percent jump. Despite this, several leading players argue that the share of tournament revenue going to players remains too low .

The protest, which began at the French Open, has largely taken the form of reduced media participation during tournament weeks. Players involved claim that their share of revenue at major events remains in the mid teens percentage range , a figure they say has not improved meaningfully over the past decade.

The movement, however, is not universally supported across the tour.

Seven time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic distanced himself from the protest, saying he was not involved and preferred to remain neutral on the issue.

Australian player Alex de Minaur , who had taken part in the French Open media protest , chose not to continue the action at Wimbledon, saying the tournament had already made a significant step forward with the prize money increase.

British number one Cam Norrie highlighted improved player facilities and called the financial uplift “absolutely huge,” reflecting a more supportive stance toward Wimbledon’s response.

American player Ben Shelton said he supports the broader concerns raised by players but chose not to limit media duties at Wimbledon, adding that the event holds special significance for him and that organisers have made clear efforts to improve conditions.

Among the women’s top players, world number one Aryna Sabalenka described the Wimbledon increase as a “great start,” while expressing hope that ongoing discussions would eventually lead to a lasting resolution and prevent future disputes.

Italian star Jannik Sinner acknowledged that progress has been made but said players are still not fully satisfied . He added that the issue goes beyond prize money alone, pointing to wider concerns around player welfare , while avoiding deeper discussion during the tournament.

With Wimbledon’s changes seen as a step forward but not a final solution , attention is now shifting to the US Open , where players are expected to reassess their strategy and decide whether the protest will continue on tennis’s biggest stage in the United States.