How top tennis stars plan to protest over prize money at Wimbledon

After staging a small-scale media boycott at the 2026 French Open last month, top tennis players are set to continue their protest over prize money at Wimbledon as well. According to reports, players are planning to show their dissent by limiting their media commitments to just 15 minutes per match during the first week of the grass-court Grand Slam.

Top players, including Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, staged a similar protest at Roland Garros this year to demand a greater share of revenue generated from the Grand Slams. They believe that tournament organisers across the Grand Slams share less than 15 percent of total revenue with players despite their huge contribution. Hence, they have decided to limit their media engagements to 15 minutes as a symbolic gesture.

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Players announce 'direct action protest'

After the issue first came to light at French Open, Wimbledon swung into action and announced a 20 percent increase in total prize money this year, with the singles champions set to earn £3.6 million (Rs 44 crore). However, player representatives have since announced a 'direct action protest,' saying that the share is still not at a level they are satisfied with.

"Players will limit their contractual media commitments at the tournament to 15 minutes -- reflecting that Wimbledon currently pays slightly below 15% of revenues to players as prize money -- for the duration of the first week of the Championships," a statement issued by players' representatives read.

"Following detailed consultation with players across both tours, player representatives have written to Wimbledon's leadership to inform them of the planned action, while acknowledging the welcome recent 20% increase in prize money compared to last year's Championships," the statement added.

Wimbledon chair Deborah Jevans, while announcing the prize money increase a few weeks ago, had said that she hoped the players would recognise the significant rise. But with the new protest plan announced, tensions over revenue sharing between players and organisers appear set to continue into the tournament.

The All England Club, which runs Wimbledon, has said that they are "surprised and disappointed" by the protest announced by players. "We are surprised and disappointed by this action. Wimbledon puts the players at the heart of all our decisions, and we invest significantly in them every year," Sky Sports quoted an AELTC spokesperson as saying.