Ekhbary News Agency | May 15, 2024
Leading tennis players at Wimbledon are set to continue their protests concerning prize money, a stance that has reportedly left the tournament organizers "surprised and disappointed." The All England Club, which manages the prestigious grass-court Grand Slam, this month declared a record 20 percent increase in total prize money, bringing the sum to £64.2 million. However, this figure falls short of the £70 million players had been demanding. Players are advocating for a larger share of Grand Slam revenues, aligning with the percentages they receive from ATP and WTA Tour events.
Escalating Protests and Organizer's Defense
Some players had already staged protests at the French Open, limiting their pre-tournament media activities to just 15 minutes. In a statement issued Wednesday, the All England Club affirmed that "Wimbledon places players at the heart of all our decisions, and we invest significantly in them each year," highlighting hundreds of millions invested in facility upgrades. Nevertheless, a prominent group of players, represented by former WTA CEO Larry Scott, has called for at least 16 percent of the tournament's revenues, up from the current 15 percent.
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Revenue Model Disagreement and Distribution
Deborah Jevans, Wimbledon chair, clarified that "using revenues to determine prize money makes no sense," explaining that revenues do not account for their substantial investments. She emphasized that Wimbledon operates as a non-profit organization, distinct from Masters 1000 tournaments, distributing 90 percent of its surpluses to British tennis. For what it's worth, players reportedly plan to restrict their post-match media appearances to 15 minutes throughout the first week of the tournament, a symbolic gesture reflecting the 15 percent revenue share currently allocated to prize money.
