London: The world's leading tennis players have concluded their 18-month public campaign against the four Grand Slam tournaments after organizers agreed to establish a formal council to provide players with a role in negotiations and decision-making.
According to Philippines News Agency, the campaign aimed to secure a larger share of tournament revenue as prize money, enhance financial support for player welfare and pensions, and ensure direct consultation over decisions affecting competitors. In a statement reported by The Guardian, players' representatives announced that the establishment of the Grand Slam Player Advisory Council marks the end of the campaign's public phase, though they cautioned that the effort could resume if the council fails to deliver results.
The players will now directly collaborate with the Grand Slams to form the council, which will facilitate ongoing consultations and negotiations. The Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open agreed in August to create the council, a step that was crucial in resolving the dispute.
Prominent players such as Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka were involved in the campaign, which began after a formal proposal was presented to the tournaments in July 2025. Carlos Alcaraz, however, withdrew his support last month. The dispute reached a critical point during this year's French Open, when players restricted their media duties in protest. A similar protest planned for Wimbledon was called off following discussions with the All England Lawn Tennis Club.
Progress has been made in the campaign's three central areas, with the US Tennis Association committing USD2 million to player welfare during this year's US Open, and prize money increasing across all four major tournaments. Total Grand Slam prize money has risen to USD415.6 million since the proposal was submitted, with players estimating that over USD30 million represents additional growth beyond expected increases.
Despite these gains, the players' primary financial demand remains unmet. They have called for prize money to reach 22 percent of Grand Slam revenues by 2030, while the current proportion is about 15 percent. The French Open is the only major tournament thus far to show willingness to introduce a revenue-sharing formula.
The players highlighted the achievements as proof of what coordinated action can accomplish in an individual sport. They expressed confidence that the new council will build on this progress and continue to pursue objectives that have not yet been fully realized.
