Tennis players pause campaign over Grand Slam pay

Players ended their public campaign Sunday but may restart it, The Guardian reported. The four majors had announced a Grand Slam Player Advisory Council in August, with a launch planned for after the US Open. Its remit covers sporting issues as well as discussions about compensation and welfare.

Watch the highlights:

According to the tournaments' joint announcement, matters affecting all four events will be considered collectively. Pay and welfare discussions, however, will take place with each major separately, reflecting their different finances, governance and decision-making arrangements. The Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon and US Open said players would help develop the council's membership and operating framework, with interested competitors invited to apply.

The financial debate extends beyond increases in the headline prize fund. In an August 28 interview with Front Office Sports, Jessica Pegula identified revenue sharing as the principal unresolved issue. The outlet reported that players were seeking 22% of Grand Slam revenue by 2030, while the tournaments had no fixed revenue-sharing arrangement. Pegula said the council could enable more direct discussions on that objective.

The US Open has separately committed money to support players away from competition. In its August announcement, the USTA allocated an initial $2 million to a new Player Support Program, divided equally between men and women. That money was to remain in escrow while the programme's details were finalised with player input, including guidance from the council.

The USTA said the programme was designed to supplement existing retirement pension provision, with benefits addressing life events during playing careers and the transition out of professional tennis. Eligibility was planned for US Open main-draw singles and doubles competitors without depending on ranking tiers. The council is also intended to recommend how the programme should be implemented.

Those measures form part of the US Open's $108 million player-compensation package for 2026, up from $90 million a year earlier. Singles champions were allocated $5.5 million each and first-round singles players $140,000. The USTA said further details of the support programme would follow consultation with players.